U5 


Prmu  Cibrarp, 


Urtbur  R.  Cratborne. 


TEXAR'S  REVENGE' 


NORTH  AGAINST  SOUTH 


BY  JULES  VERNE. 


NEW  YORK 

HURST  &  COMPAiSTY,  Publishers 

134-136  ORAî^P  ^TREE-y 


OB, 


THE  A^GY.E  PRESSj 
PRINTING  AND  BOOK-B,NO.„G,   ^63-267  ChERRy 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


On  Board  thb  "Shannon"   5 

CHAPTER  TT 

Camdless  Hay..  

CHAPTER  III. 
The  War  of  Secession.   23 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Burbank  Family  •   30 

CHAPTER  V. 

Black  (JrejsJ£,   38 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Jacksonville..   46 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Before  the  Court   55 

CHAPTER  VIIL 
The  Last  Slays   67 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Waiting   79 


CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER  X. 

The  Morning  of  the  2nd  of  March   86 

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Evening  of  the  2nd  of  March   94 

CHAPTER  XII. 
The  Six  Days  that  Followed   103 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
A  Few  Hours  lU 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
On  the  St.  John's   124 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Sentence....  ,  135 


PAR  T  II. 

'  CHAPTER  I. 
After  the  Capture   141 

CHAPTER  II. 

A  Strange  Operation   149 

i 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  Day  Before  ,   159 

CPIAPTER  IV. 

A  Gale  from  the  North-east  168 

CHAPTER  V 

A  Prisoner  I77 

CHAPTER  VI. 

St.  Augustine  188 


PAQS 

199 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 
iiAST  Words  and  a  Last  Sigh.  

CHAPTER  VIII. 
From  Camdlbss  Bay  to  Lake  Washington....  208 

CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Great  Cypress  Forest  '  317 

CHAPTER  X. 
A  Meeting  •  

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Everglades  •  

CHAPTER  XII. 
What  Zermah  OvBRHBArtD  , ...  239 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
A  Double  Life.  ^^'^ 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Zermah  at  Work  252 

CHAPTER  XV. 
'^fHE  Two  Brothers   258 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Conclusion   265 


r 


\ 


TEXAR'S  REVENGE 


PART  I. 

BURBANK  THE  NORTHERNER, 


CHAPTER  1. 

OÎT  BOAED  THE      SHAÎ^-^OIT.  " 

iqF^^?^^^^  annexed  to  the  American  federation  in 
1H19;  It  was  organized  into  a  state  a  few  years  afterwards. 
±Jy  the  annexation  the  area  of  the  republic  was  increased 
by  some  67,000  square  miles.  But  the  star  of  Florida 
shmes  with  second-rate  brilliancy  in  that  constellation  of 
thirty-eight  which  spangle  the  banner  of  the  United  States 
01  America. 

Florida,  throughout,  is  a  low,  narrow  tongue  of  land 
and  its  rivers,  with  one  exception— the  St.  John  Wowing 
to  the  narrt)wness  of  the  country,  are  of  no  importance! 
i^rom  such  a  slight  rise,  there  is  not  sufficient  fall  for  the 
watercourses  to  be  of  any  rapidity;  there  are  no  moun- 
tains, only  a  few  hues  of  -bluffs^'  or  low  hills  such  as  are 
numerous  m  the  central  and  southern  regions  of  the 
Union.  In  form  the  peninsula  is  not  unlike  the  tail  of  a 
beaver  dipping  into  the  ocean  between  the  Atlantic  on  the 
east  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  on  the  west. 

Florida's  nearest  neighbour  to  the  north  is  Georgia,  the 
frontier  running  a  little  above  the  isthmus  which  ioins  the 
peninsula  to  the  continent.  ^ 

h  J^^'if^ '^q^'^l  }^  ^  country  apart,  with  its  people 
hali  Spaniards  half  Americans,  and  the  Seminole  Indians 
so  dilierent  to  their  congeners  in  the  west.  In  the  south 
It  IS  and,  sandy,  almost  entirely  bordered  by  sand-hills 


ÏEXAR'S  REVkNGK 


formed  by  successive  irrnptioi^s  of  the  Af      c;  but  in  th^ 
north  its  plains  are  of  marvellous  fertihty.    its  name  is 
hSified  to  the  letter.    The  flora  is  superb,  vigorous,  and 
S  exutoan  variety,  more  especially  in  that  portion  wa- 
tered  bv  the  St.  John's.    This  river  is  a  broad  stream  flow- 
W  from  south  to  north,  over  a  course  of  some  two  hun- 
dred aTd  fifty  miles,  of  which  one  hundred  ^-^^^Jf^^^^ 
up  to  Lake  George,  are  navigable     TI^^b  fivers  flow^n 
east  and  west  have  no  room  for  length  ;  ^^f^ 
from  its  central  course  to  the  north,  suffers  from  nojuch 
hindrance,  andnumerousbranchesrunmtoi^^^^^^^^ 
the  multitudinous  creeks  along  its  banks,    ihe  bt.  J onn  s 
fin  Set  the  chief  artery  of  the  country,  jhich  receives 
its  Ufe  from  its  waters,  for  water  is  the  blood  of  the  earth. 

It  was  tTe  7th  of  February,  1862  ,^1^^/^^ ^^^lo^W 
non  was  running  down  the  St.  John's.  At  four  o  clock  m 
The  afternoon  she  was  due  at  Picolata  after  calling  at  the 
p^ers  higher  up  the  river,  and  the  forts  m  St.  John  s  and 
Putnam  counties.  A  few  miles  beyond  she  would  enter 
Duval  county,  which  is  bordered  by  Nassau  county  and  cut 
off  from  it  by  the  river  bearing  that  name. 

Picolata  itself  is  not  of  much  importance,  but  its  neigh- 
bourhood is  rich  in  indigo  plantations,  sugar  plantations, 
rice  fields,  cotton  fields,  and  vast  cypress  groves,  .bor 
some  distance  round  the  population  is  numerous,  and  it  s 
an  important  centre  for  trade  and  tfj^^ll^^^/ ,  ^^^^^^ 
landinl-place  for  St.  Augustine,  one  of  the  chief  towns  of 
eastern  Florida,  situated  some  dozen  miles  away  on  that 
part  of  the  sea-coast  sheltered  by  the  long  island  of  Anao- 
tasia.    An  almost  straight  road  leads  from  the  river  poit 

On^thTpier  at  Picolata  there  are  to-day  many  more  trav- 
ellers than  usual.  Some  speedy  vehicles  known  as  stages, 
each  seating  eight  persons,  drawn  by  four  or  six  mules 
galloping  like  mad  along  the  road  across  the  marsh,  had 
brought  them  from  St.  Augustine.  It  was  i^^portant  for 
them  not  to  miss  the  steamboat;  to  do  so  would  be  to  risk 
a  delay  of  at  least  forty-eight  hours  in  getting  back  to  the 
towns  and  villages  down  the  river.  For  the  Shannon  made 
only  one  passage  up  or  down  each  day,  and  she  was  tne 
only  means  of  transport.  It  was  therefore  ^^^^^y 
at  Picolata  when  she  called;  and  the  vehicles  had  unloaded 
their  passengers  an  hour  before  she  was  due. 


ÔîT  BOARD  THE  " SHANNON." 


7 


There  were  about  fifty  men  on  the  gangway  at  Picolata. 
While  they  waited  they  were  talking  excitedly.  They  had 
divided  into  two  groups  not  at  all  anxious  to  mix  with  each 
other.  What  had  b--'ight  them  from  St.  Augustine? 
Was  it  some  serious  matte-  some  political  contest?  It 
vv^as  obvious  that  there  was  nv.  jhance  of  their  agreeing. 
Enemies  they  had  come  and  enemies  they  would  return. 
That  could  be  seen  clearly  enough  from  the  angry  looks 
they  exchanged,  from  the  marked  division  between  the 
gi-oups,  from  several  ill-sounding  words  whose  defiant 
meaning  no  one  could  mistake. 

A  prolonged  whistling  began  to  be  heard  above  stream. 

The  Shannon  soon  appeared  at  the  bend  of  the  right 
bank  half  a  mile  above  Picolata.  Thick  clouds  of  smoke 
escaioed  from  her  two  funnels,  and  crowned  the  large  trees 
which  the  sea  breeze  was  shaking  on  the  opposite  bank. 
The  moving  mass  grew  larger  rapidly.  The  tide  had  just 
turned;  and  the  current,  which  for  three  or  four  hours 
had  been  against  her,  was  now  in  her  favor  and  taking  tho 
w;iters  of  the  St.  John's  towards  the  sea. 

At  length  the  bell  was  heard.  The  wheels  going  astern 
stopped  the  Shannon,  and  her  hawsers  brought  her  along- 
side, the  pier. 

The  passengers  went  on  board  somewhat  hastily.  One 
of  the  groups  went  first;  the  other  did  not  move.  It 
looked  as  though  they  were  waiting  for  one  or  several  trav- 
ellers who  ran  a  chance  of  being  late.  Two  or  three  men 
went  up  the  pier  to  the  place  where  the  road  from  St.  Au- 
gustine came  in;  and  then  they  looked  towards  the  east, 
evidently  with  impatience. 

And  not  without  reason  ;  for  the  captain  of  the  Shannon, 
who  v/as  on  the  bridge,  shouted  to  them,— 

"  Now  then  !  come  on 

"  In  a  minute  or  two,''  answered  one  of  the  men  in  the 
group  that  remained  on  the  gangway. 
•^'I  can't  wait,  gentlemen." 
A  few  minutes  !" 
No  !  not  one  !" 
Only  a  moment  !" 
'impossible!    The  tide  is  running  out,  and  I  may 
have  no  water  over  the  bar  at  Jacksonville." 

"And  besides,"  said  one  of  those  on  board,  "there  is 
no  reason  why  we  should  put  up  with  their  fancies." 


Ô  TEXAR^S  EEVJJNGË. 

"That  is  what  I  think,  Mr.  Burbank,"  said  the  cap- 
tain.     Duty  first.    Now  then,  gentlemen,  come  on  board; 

^  ^And  the  sailors  began  to  pnsh  away  the  steamboat  from 
the  pier,  while  sonorous  jets  escaped  from  the  steam- 
whistle,    A  shout  stopped  the  manœuvre. 

"  There  is  Texar  !    There  is  Texar  !"  -,  ^    .  -, 

A  carriage  came  rattling  along  at  full  speed  and  dashed 
ioun4  the  turning  up  to  the  pier.  The  four  mules,  which 
formed  the  team,  stopped  at  the  gate.  A  man  'got  down. 
Those  of  his  companions  who  had  gone  up  the  road  re- 
joined him  at  a  run.    Then  all  of  them  went  aboard  the 

"  A  moment  more,  Texar,  and  you  could  not  have  gone. 
That  would  have  been  awkward  for  you,"  said  one  of  the 

group.  -,       ,   »  x 

"Yes  !  it  would  have  been  two  days  before  you  got 
back  to— where?— We  shall  know  when  you  choose  to  tell 
us  !"  added  another. 

"And  if  the  captain  had  listened  to  that  rascal  Bur- 
bank,"  said  a  third,  ''t\iQ  Shannon  would  have  been  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  down  stream  by  now." 

Texar  had  just  stepped  onto  the  fore  deck-house,  accom- 
panied by  his  friends.  He  contented  himself  with  a  look 
at  James  Burbank  from  where  he  was  only  separated  from 
him  by  the  bridge.  Although  he  said  not  a  word,  the 
look  he  gave  was  sufficient  to  show  the  implacable  hatred 
that  existed  between  the  two  men.  Burbank  looked 
Texar  straight  in  the  face,  turned  his  back  on  him,  and 
went  to  sit  on  the  after  deck-house,  where  his  friends  had 
already  seated  themselves. 

"  Burbank  is  not  happy  !"  paid  one  of  Texar's  compan- 
ions. "  And  no  wonder  !  He  lost  by  his  lies,  and  the  re- 
corder did  justice  to  his  false  witness — " 

"But  not  to  himself,"  interrupted  Texar,  "and  that 
justice  I  will  undertake." 

The  Shannon  had  slacked  off  the  hawsers.  Her  bow, 
pushed  off  by  the  long  poles,  took  the  line  of  the  current, 
and  driven  by  her  powerful  wheels,  helped  by  the  ebbing 
tide,  she  glided  rapidly  between  the  banks  of  the  St. 
John's. 

American  river  steamboats  are  well  known.  They  are 
■  many-storied  houses  crowned  with  wide  terraces,  and 


ON  BOARD  THE  "SHANNON."  S) 

dominated  by  the  two  funnels  and  the  flagstaffs  'which 
support  the  ironwork  of  the  awnings.  On  the  Hudson  as 
on  the  Mississippi,  these  steamboats  are  floating  palaces, 
and  can  hold  the  population  of  a  small  town.  But  there 
was  no  need  for  such  grandeur  on  the  St.  John^s.  The 
Shannon  was  only  a  floating  hotel,  although  in  its  interior 
and  exterior  arrangements  it  was  similar  to  the  Kentucky 
and  the  Dean  Richmond. 

The  weather  was  magnificent.  The  very  blue  sky  was 
spotted  with  light  freckles  of  vapor  that  thinned  off  to- 
wards the  horizon.  In  the  thirtieth  parallel  of  latitude 
the  month  of  February  is  almost  as  warm  in  the  New 
World  as  it  is  in  the  old  on  the  confines  of  the  Sahara; 
but  a  gentle  breeze  blown  in  from  the  sea  tempers  its  ex- 
cess. 

Most  of  the  passengers  on  the  Shannon  stopped  on  the 
deck-house  to  breathe  the  fresh  air  that  the  wind  brought 
them  from  riverside  forests.  The  slanting  rays  of  the  sun 
could  not  reach  them  beneath  the  awnings  which  were 
shaken  like  punkahs  by  the  speed  of  the  steamboat. 

Texar  and  the  five  oi^  six  companions  who  had  embarked 
with  him,  had  thought  well  to  go  below  to  one  of  the 
boxes  in  the  dining-room.  There,  with  throats  seasoned 
to  the  strongest  drinks  of  American  bars,  they  tossed  off 
whole  glasses  of  gin  and  Bourbon  whiskey.  They  were 
indeed  a  rough  lot,  rude  in  habit  and  speech,  wearing 
more  leather  than  cloth,  and  more  accustomed  to-'live  in 
the  woods  than  in  cities.  Texar  appeared  to  have  some 
right  of  superiority  over  them,  due,  doubtless,  to  the  en- 
ergy of  his  character  as  well  as  to  his  position  and  means. 
When  Texar  did  not  talk,  his  comrades  remained  silent 
and  spent  the  time  in  drinking. 

Texar,  after  carelessly  running  his  eye  over  one  of  the 
newspapers  which  littered  the  dining-room  tables,  had  just 
thrown  it  aside,  saying, — 

"That  is  all  old  news.^' 

"  I  believe  you/^  said  one  of  his  companions,  "  the  paper 
is  three  days  old.^^ 

"  And  a  good  many  things  happen  in  three  days,"  added 
another. 

"  What  is  the  latest'  about  the  war  T  asked  Texar. 
As  far  as  we  are  concerned,  the  latest  is  that  the 


10 


TEX  Ait's  REVENGE. 


Federals  are  preparing  an  expedition  against  Florida,  and 
that  means  we  may  expect  an  invasion  of  northerners  !" 
'as  that  true 

I  don't  kndw,  but  I  heard  of  it  at  Savannah,  and  I 
heard  of  it  again  at  St.  Augustine.'' 

"  Well,  let  these  Federals  come  !"  exclaimed  Texar, 
striking  his  fist  on  the  table  so  as  to  make  the  glasses  and 
bottles  shake.  Yes,  let  them  come  !  and  we  shall  see  if 
the  Florida  slave-owners  will  allow  themselves  to  be  robbed 
by  the'  abolitionist  thieves." 

Texar's  reply  will  have  told  two  things  to  those  readers 
who  are  unacquainted  with  what  was  then  happening  in 
America.  First,  that  the  war  of  Secession,  declared  really 
by  the  gun  fired  on  Fort  Sumter  on  the  11th  of  April,  1861, 
was  then  in  its  most  critical  phase,  for  it  had  extended 
almost  to  the  farthest  limits  of  the  Southern  States;  and 
secondly,  that  Texar,  a  supporter  of  slavery,  made  com- 
mon cause  with  the  immense  majority  of  the  people  in  the 
slave  states.  On  board  the  Sliannon  were  representatives 
of  both  parties.  One — ^to  use  the  different  appellations 
bestowed  on  them  during  the  long  struggle — consisting  of 
northerners,  anti-slavery  men,  abolitionists  or  federals;  the 
other  of  southerners,  slavery  men,  secessionists  or  confed- 
erates. 

An  hour  afterwards  Texar  and  his  comrades,  having 
had  quite  enough  to  drink,  appeared  on  the  upper  deck  of 
the  Shannon.  She  had  already  passed  Trent  Creek  and 
Six  Mile  Creek  on  the  right  bank,  Trent  Creek  coming 
in  from  a  vast  cypress  grove.  Six  Mile  Creek  bringing  its 
waters  down  from  the  Twelve  Mile  Marsh,  of  which  the 
name  tells  the  extent.  The  steamboat's  course  lay  between 
borders  of  magnificent  trees,  tulip-trees,  magnolias,  pines, 
cypresses,  yuccas,  and  many  others,  whose  trunks  were 
hidden  by  the  wild  undergrowth  of  azaleas  and  serpenta- 
rias.  Occasionally,  at  the  mouths  of  the  creeks  leading  up 
to  the  marshy  plains  of  St.  J ohn  and  Duval  counties,  a 
strong  odor  of  musk  impregnated  the  atmosphere,  coming 
not  from  the  shrubs,  whose  emanations  are  so  penetrating 
in  this  climate,  but  from  the  alligators  hurrying  under 
the  bushes  at  the  noisy  passage  of  the  Shamion,  Then 
there  were  birds  of  all  sorts,  woodpeckers,  herons,  jaca- 
mars,  bitterns,  white-headed  pigeons,  mocking-birds,  and 
a  hundred  others  differing  in  form  and  plumage,  whij©  the 


ON  BOARD  THE  SHANKON." 


11 


cat-bird  reproduced  all  the  sounds  of  the  forest  with  his 
ventriloquial  voice. 

As  Texar  mounted  the  last  of  the  steps  on  to  the  upper 
deck,  a  woman  met  him  on  her  way  down  to  the  interior 
of  the  saloon.  When  she  found  herself  face  to  face  with 
him,  she  stepped  back.  She  was  a  half-breed  in  the 
service  of  the  Burbank  family;  her  first  movement  had 
been  one  of  unconquerable  repulsion  at  finding  herself 
suddenly  face  to  face  with  the  declared  enemy  of  her 
master. 

Texar  gave  her  an  evil  look  as  she  stepped  back,  and 
then  shrugging  his  shoulders,  he  joined  his  companions. 

"  Yes,  it  is  Zermah,''  he  said,  ^'  one  of  the  slaves  of 
Mr.  James  Burbank,  who  says  he  does  not  approve  of 
slavery." 

Zermah  madfe  no  reply.  When  the  way  to  the  saloon 
was  clear,  she  went  down  it  without  turning  to  take  any 
notice  of  the  observation. 

Texar  strolled  toward  the  bow  of  the  steamboat;  there, 
after  lighting  a  cigar,  he  apparently  dismissed  from  his 
notice  the  friends  who  had  followed  him,  and  began  to 
watch  with  some  attention  the  left  bank  of  the  St.  John^s 
along  the  border  of  Putnam  county. 

Meanwhile,  on  the  after-deck  of  the  Shannon,  the  con- 
versation had  run  on  the  war.  When  Zermah  went,  Bur- 
bank had  remained  with  two  of  his  friends,  who  had  ac- 
companied him  to  St.  Augustine.  One  was  his  brother- 
in-law,  Edward  Carrol,  the  other  was  Mr.  Walter  Stannard, 
a  Floridan,  living  at  Jacksonville.  They  were  talking 
with  considerable  animation  of  the  sanguinary  strife  of 
which  the  issue  was  a  question  of  life  or  death  to  the 
United  States.  But,  as  we  shall  see,  BurbanFs  opinion  of 
the  issue  dilfered  considerably  from  Texar^s. 

^'^ I  am  anxious,"  said  he,  ''to  get  back  to  Camdless 
Bay.  We  have  been  two  days  away.  Perhaps  some  news 
of  the  war  has  arrived.  Perhaps  Dupont  and  Sherman 
are  now  masters  of  Port  Royal  and  the  islands  of  South 
Carolina." 

''Anyhow,  it  will  not  be  long  before  they  are,"  said 
Carrol,  "and  I  shall  be  much  astonished  if  President 
Lincoln  does  not  carry  the  war  into  Florida." 

"And  it  will  not  be  before  it  is  time  !"  said  Burbank. 
is  quite  time  that  the  will  of  the  "CmoDi  should 


12  TEXAE  s  EEVEKGE. 

imposed  on  these  southerners  of  Georgia  and  Florida,  who 
fancy  they  are  too  far  off  to  be  reached  !  See  to  what  a 
degree  of  insolence  vagabonds  like  Texar  are  led  !  He  f  eels 
that  he  is  supported  by  the  slaveholders,  and  excites  them 
against  us  northerners,  whose  position,  which  gets  more 
and  more  difficult  every  day,  lays  us  open  to  the  back- 
wash of  the  war/'  /  t+ 

You  are  right,  James,"  said  Edward  Carrol.  it  is 
6f  consequence  that  Florida  should  return  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible to  the  authority  of  the  Washington  Government,  it 
the  Federal  army  does  not  come  quickly  we  shall  have  to 
abandon  our  plantations/'  -n    i.    i  co^/i 

^at  may  be  only  a  question  of  days,  Burbank,  said 
Stannard.  "When  I  left  Jacksonville  the  day  before 
yesterday,  people  were  getting  uneasy  at  the  news  ot 
Commodore  Dupont's  supposed  plans  for  opening  up  the 
St.  John's,  and  that  would  give  a  pretext  for  threatening 
those  who  do  not  think  with  the  slave-owners,  i  am 
afraid  that  a  rising  would  turn  out  the  authorities  ot  the 
town  in  favor  of  fellows  of  the  worst  description 

"  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  it  did,"  said  Burbank. 
"We  shall  have  a  bad  time  of  it  till  the  Federal  army 
comes;  but  it  cannot  be  helped."  ^ 

"  What  can  we  do?"  asked  Walter  Stannard.  Sup- 
posing there  exist  at  Jacksonville  and  other  places  a  few 
brave  colonists  who  think  as  we  do  on  this  slave  question; 
they  are  not  strong  enough  to  withstand  the  Secessionists. 
We  can  only  reckon  for  safety  on  the  arrival  of  the 
erals,  and  wish  that  wheu  intervention  is  decided  on  it 
will  take  place  without  delay."  .  -     a  ti  ^t^o..v 

Yes.    Would  they  were  here,"  exclaimed  Burbank, 
"  to  deliver  us  from  these  blackguards!" 

And  we  shall  soon  see  that  these  Northerners,  who,  on 
account  of  family  or  other  interests,  were  obliged  to  live 
amid  a  slave-holding  population  and  conform  to  the 
usages  of  the  country,  were  fully  justified  in  their  fears 
and  the  language  they  held  concerning  them. 

The  news  dîscussed  by  Burbank  and  -his  friends  was 
true  The  Federal  Government  was  preparing  an  ex- 
pedition for  the  subjugation  of  Florida;  not  so  much, 
however,  for  the  military  occupation  of  the  State  as  tûe 
closing  of  the  outlets  against  the  blockade-runners,  who 
took  away  local  productions  and  brought  m  arms  ana 


ON  BOARD  THE  SHANNON." 


13 


munitions  of  war.  It  was  in  consequence  of  this  block- 
ade that  the  Shannon  no  longer  plied  up  the  southern 
coast  of  Georgia,  which  was  then  in  the  power  of  the 
Northern  generals.  For  prudential  reasons  she  stopped 
a  little  beyond  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's,  towards  the 
north  of  Amelia  Island,  at  the  port  of  Fernandina,  the 
terminus  of  the  Cedar  Keys  railway,  which  crosses  the 
Florida  peninsula  obliquely  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Higher 
than  Amelia' Island  and  the  river  St.  Mary  the  Shannon 
would  have  risked  capture  from  the  Federal  cruisers 
which  were  constantly  on  the  coast. 

It  follows  that  the  passengers  were  chiefly  Floridans, 
whose  business  did  not  require  their  crossing  the  frontier. 
All  of  them  wore  dwellers  in  the  towns  or  villages  on  the 
St.  John's  and  its  affluents,  and  for  the  most  part  lived 
at  St.  Augustine  or  Jacksonville.  At  the  different  places 
they  landed,  and  embarked  either  by  the  gangways  from 
the  wharves,  or  by  piers  built  out  in  the  English  fashion. 

One  of  the  passengers  intended,  however,  to  quit  the 
steamer  in  mid-stream.  His  plan  was  to  leave  her  at  a 
part  of  the  river  where  there  was  no  wharf  or  pier,  nor 
village,  nor  isolated  house,  nor  even  a  hunting  or  fishing 
hut  in  sight. 

The  passenger  was  Texar. 

About  six  o'clock  the  Shannon  gave  three  sharp  screams 
from  her  steam  whistle.  Her  wheels  were  almost  imme- 
diately stopped,  and  she  began  to  drift  along  with  the 
stream,  which  hereabouts  runs  slowly.  She  was  then  off 
the  entiance  to  Blapk  Creek. 

This  creek  is  a  deep  gash  in  the  left  bank,  into  which 
flows  a  small  river  of  the  same  name,  which  runs  by  the 
foot  of  Fort  Heilman,  almost  on  the  boundary  between 
Putnam  and  Duval  counties.  Its  nai^row  opening  is  en- 
tirely hidden  beneath  an  arch  of  boughs  and  foliage  mat- 
ted together,  as  close  as  the  woof  of  some  close  tissue. 
This  gloomy  lagoon  was  almost  unknown  to  the  people  of 
the  country.  No  one  knew  that  Texar  had  there  his 
dwelling.  The  opening  of  the  creek  seemed  in  no  way  to 
break  into  the  line  of  bank,  and  as  night  was  falling 
rapidly,  it  would  require  a  very  skilful  boatman  to  take  a 
boat  into  such  a  place. 

At  the  first  whistle  of  the  Shannon,  a  shout  had  come 
in  answer — three  times.    A  light  burning  among  the 


14  ïexar's  revenge. 

trees  on  the  bank  was  put  in  motion,  showing  that  a 
canoe  was  coming  out  to  meet  the  steamer. 

It  was  only  a  skiff— a  little  bark  boat,  driven  by  one 
paddle.  Soon  the  skiff  was  half  a  cable-length  from  the 
Shan7ion, 

Texar  stepped  up  to  the  front  of  the  fore-deck  and 
making  a  speaking-trumpet  with  his  hands,  shouted, — 
^^AhoyP 

Ahoy!"  came  back  in  answer. 
"  Is  that  you,  Squambo?" 
Yes,  master!" 
Come  alongside." 
The  skiff  came  alongside.    By  the  light  of  the  lantern 
attached  to  its  bow,  the  man  could  be  seen  who  was  pad- 
dling it.    He  was  an  Indian,  black-headed,  naked  to  the 
waist,  and  sturdily  built,  to  judge  from  the  torso  revealed 
in  the  fitful  light. 

Texar  returned  towards  his  companions  and. shook 
hands  with  them,  bidding  them  a  significant  au  revoir. 
Then  giving  a  threatening  look  towards  Mr.  Burbank,  he 
descended  the  ladder  from  the  sponson,  and  stepped  into 
the  skiff.  In  a  few  turns  of  the  paddle-wheels  the  steamer 
was  out  of  sight,  and  no  one  on  board  could  suspect  that 
the  little  craft  was  about  to  vanish  under  the  dark  thick- 
ets on  the  bank. 

''One  scoundrel  the  less  on  board,"  said  Carrol,  with- 
out caring  if  he  were  heard  by  Texar's  companions. 

"  Yes,"  said  James  Burbank,  and  at  the  same  time, 
a  dangerous  scoundrel.  I  have  no  doubt  of  it  myself, 
although  he  has  always  been  able  to  escape  conviction." 

''Anyway,"  said  Stannard,  "if  a  crime  is  committed  , 
to-night  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Jacksonville,  they  can- 
not accuse  him,  for  he  has  left  the  ShannoJi" 

"I  don't  know  that,"  said  Burbank,  "  if  they  told  me 
he  had  been  stealing  or  assassinating  this  very  moment 
fifty  miles  off  in  the  north  of  Florida,  I  shouhl  not  be 
surprised.  And  if  he  managed  to  prove  that  he  was  not 
the  author  of  the  crime,  I  should  not  be  surprised  after 
what  has  happened.  But  it  is  not  worth  while  to  worry 
ourselves  about  such  a  man.  You  are  going  back  to 
Jacksonville,  Stannard?" 
"To-night." 

"  Is  your  daughter  expecting  you?" 


ON"  BOARD  THE  "SHANNON." 


15 


.  '*Yes,  I  am  going  to  meet  her." 

"I  understand,"  said  Burbank;  ''and  when  are  you 
coming  to  Oamdless  Bay?" 

*'  In  a  day  or  so." 

"  Then  come  as  soon  as  you  can,  my  dear  feHow.  We 
are  on  the  eve  of  very  important  events,  and  matters  will 
get  worse  as  the  Federal  troops  come  nearer.  And  I  fancy 
your  daughter  Alice  and  you  would  be  in  greater  safety 
at  Castle  House  than  in  the  town,  where  the  Southerners 
are  capable  of  any  excess." 

''Am  I  not  a  Southerner,  Burbank?" 

"Certainly,  but  you  think  and  act  as  if  vou  belonged 
to  the  North." 

An  hour  afterwards  the  Shannon,  carried  along  by  the 
ebb  which  became  stronger  and  sti'onger,  passed  the  little 
village  of  Mandarin,  placed  on  its  green  hill.  Then  five 
or  six  miles  farther  she  stopped  on  the  right  bank  of  th^ 
river.  A  quay  had  been  built  there  for  ships  to  load  and 
discharge  at.  A  little  above  was  an  elegant  pier,  with 
a  light  wooden  bridge  suspended  from  two  chains.  This 
was  the  landing-place  for  Camdless  Bay. 

At  the  end  of  the  pier  were  two  blacks  with  lanterns, 
for  the  night  was  now  very  dark. 

Burbank  took  leave  of  Stannard,  and  followed  by 
Edward  Carrol  stepped  off  on  to  the  pier. 

Behind  him  went  the  half-breed  Zermah,  who  answered 
from  a  distance  to  a  child's  voice. 

"  I  am  here,  Dy!    I  am  here!" 

"And  father?" 

"  Father  is  here  too!" 

The  lights  receded,  and  the  Shannon  continued  her 
voyage,  crossing  obliquely  to  the  left  bank. 

Three  miles  beyond  Camdless  Bay,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river,  she  stopped  at  the  pier  of  Jacksonville  to  put 
ashore  most  of  her  passengers. 

There  Walter  Stannard  went  o3  with  three  or  four  of 
the  men  whom  Texar  had  left  an  hour  and  a  half  before. 
Only  half  a  dozen  passengers  were  left  on  board,  some  for 
Pablo,  a  little  town  near  the  lighthouse  at  the  mouth  of 
the  St.  John's,  others  for  Talbot  Island,  off  the  coast  at 
the  opening  of  the  channels  of  the  same  name,  and  others 
for  the  ]iort  of  Fernandina. 

The  Shannon  continued  to  beat  the  waters  of  the  river. 


16 


^•exar's  revenge. 


and  cleared  the  bar  without  accident.  An  hour  afterwards 
she  disappeared  at  the  turn  of  Trout  Creek,  where  the  St. 
John's  mingles  its  already  rough  waters  with  the  waves  of 
the  ocean. 


CHAPTER  II. 

GAMDLESS  BAT. 

Camdless  Bay  was  the  name  of  the  plantation  that 
belonged  to  James  Burbank.  There  he  lived,  with  his 
family.  The  name  of  Camdless  comes  from  one  of  the 
creeks  of  the  St.  John's,  which  runs  in  a  little  above  Jack- 
sonville, and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  Communi- 
cation with  the  city  was  thus  easy.  A  good  boat,  a  north 
or  south  wind,  and  the  ebb  for  going  and  the  flood  for 
returning,  and  in  an  hour  the  three  miles  could  be  sailed 
between  Camdless  Bay  and  the  chief  towii^  of  Duval 
county. 

Burbank  owned  one  of  the  finest  properties  in  the 
country.  He  was  rich  himself,  and  his  family  was  rich,  and 
in  addition  to  the  Florida  estate  he  held  important  landed 
property  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  which  adjoins  the 
state  of  New  York.  , 

The  site  on  the  right  bank  of  the  St.  John's  had  been  very 
happily  chosen  for  the  foundation  of  a  wealthy  establish- 
ment. To  its  natural  conveniences  man  had  little  to  add. 
The  land  itself  was  adapted  for  all  the  requirements  of  ex- 
tensive works,  and  the  plantation  of  Camdless  Bay,  man- 
aged by  an  intelligent  man,  active  and  in  the  prime  of  life, 
well  helped  by  his  staff,  and  with  no  want  of  capital,  was 
in  a  most  flourishing  state. 

The  plantation  was  twelve  miles  round,  and  had  an  area 
of  four  thousand  acres.  There  were  larger  plantations  in 
the  Southern  States,  but  there  were  none  better  managed. 
Dwelling-house,  outbuildings,  stables,  cattle-sheds,  huts 
for  the  slaves,  farm-buildings,  stores  for  the  products  of  the 
soil,  yards  for  handling  them,  workshops  and  mills,  rail- 
ways converging  to  the  landing-place  and  carriage  roads, — 
everything  was  marvellously  arranged  from  a  practical 


CÀMDLÈSS  BAY. 


1^ 


point  of  viëw;  that  it  was  a  Northerner  who  had  con- 
ceived, organized,  and  executed  these  works  could  be  seen 
at  the  first  ghince.  It  was^  only  plantations  of  the  first 
class  in  Virginia  or  the  Carolinas  that  could  rival  Camdlo5S 
Bay.  Besides,  the  ground  consisted  of  "  high  hummocks," 
adapted  for  the  culture  of  cereals,  *'low  hummocks," 
specially  fitted  for  coffee-shrubs  and  cocoa-trees,  and 
marshes,  or  salt  savannahs,  where  rice  and  sugar-cane 
fields  could  flourish. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  cotton  of  Georgia  and  Florida 
is  the  most  appreciated  in  the  different  markets  of  Europe 
and  America,'  owing  to  the  length  and  quality  of  its  fibres, 
and  the  cotton-fields,  with  their  plants  in  long,  regularly - 
spaced  lines,  their  leaves  of  tender  green  and  their  yellow 
flowers,  were  among  the  chief  sources  of  revenue.  At 
harvest- time  these  fields,  for  an  acre  or  an  acre  and  a  half, 
would  be  covered  with  huts  in  which  lived  the  slaves, 
women  and  children,  whose  duty  it  was  to  collect  the 
capsules  and  take  out  the  tufts — a  very  delicate  operation, 
for  the  fibres  must  not  be  disturbed.  The  cotton,  dried  in 
the  sun,  was  cleaned  in  a  mill  by  means  of  toothed  wheels 
and  rollers,  squeezed  in  a  hydraulic  press,  done  up  in  bales, 
hooped  with  iron,  and  so  packed  for  exportation;  and 
sailing-ships  or  steamers  could  load  alongside  the  wharf  at 
Camdless  Bay. 

James  Burbank  also  devoted  much  attention  to  large 
fields  of  coffee-shrubs  and  sugar-canes.  Here  were  plan- 
tations of  from  a  thousand  to  twelve  hundred  trees,  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  feet  high,  resembling  Spanish  jasmine 
in  their  flowers,  and  with  fruits  as  big  as  a  cherry  con- 
taining the  two  grains,  which  it  was  only  necessary  to 
extract  and  dry.  There  were  large  fields,  we  might  say 
marshes,  bristling  with  thousands  of  those  long  reeds,  nine 
to  eighteen  feet  high,  with  their  crests  shaking  like  the 
plumes  of  a  troop  of  cavalry  on  the  march.  This  crop, 
which  was  the  subject  of  special  care  at  Camdless  Bay, 
yielded  the  sugar  in  the  form  of  a  liquor,  which  the  refinery 
transformed  into  refined  sugar,  and  then,  as  derived  prod- 
ucts, the  syrups  used  m  the  manufacture  of  tafia  and  rum, 
and  cane  wine,  a  mixture  of  saccharine  liquor  with  pine- 
apple and  orange  juice.  Although  the  crop  was  less  im- 
portant than  that  fjom  the  cotton,  the  cultivation  was. 
there  a  very  profitable  one.     A  few  enclosures  of  cocoa- 


18  TSXâr's  feEVlSMGE. 

trees,  fields  of  maize,  yams,  potatoes,  tobacco,  and  two  Ot 
thi-ee  hundred  aci-es  under  rice,  brought  in  a  large  amount 
ot*  additional  profit. 

But  James  Burbank  had  another  enterprise  on  hand 
which  produced  at  least  equal  profit  to  that  of  the  cotton 
industry.  This  was  the  clearing  of  the  forest  which  covered, 
much  of  the  estate.  To  say  nothing  of  the  products 
of  the  cinnamons,  pears,  oranges,  citrons,  olives,  figs, 
ma,ngoes,  and  bread-fruits,  or  of  all  the  fruit  trees  of 
Europe  acclimatized  so  splendidly  in  Florida,  the  forests 
were  regularly  and  constantly  thinned.  And  great  was 
the  value  of  the  logwoods,  gazumas  or  Mexican  eln:is,  now 
used  for  so  many  purposes,  baobabs,  coral  woods,  with 
twigs  and  flowers  as  red  as  blood,  buckeyes,  a  kind  of 
yellow- flowered  chestnut,  black  walnuts,  oaks,  southern 
pines,  which  yield  such  admirable  specimens  for  the  car- 
penter and  shipwright,  pachiriers  whose  seeds  the  sun  at 
noon  explodes  like  so  many  petards,  parasol  pines,  tulip- 
trees,  firs,  cedars,  and  above  all  cypresses,  the  most  widely 
extended  tree  in  the  peninsula,  with  its  forests  from  sixty 
to  a  hundred  miles  in  length.  Jaines  Burbank  had  erected 
several  sawmills  in  different  parts  of  the  plantation.  Dams 
had  been  placed  in  several  of  the  tributaries  of  the  St. 
John's,  and  the  peaceful  streams  broken  into  falls,  which 
gave  the  mechanical  power  required  to  produce  the  beams, 
joists  and  planks  of  which  the  ships  each  year  took  entire 
cargoes. 

There  was,  besides,  a  considerable  stretch  of  prairie,  on 
which  flourished  the  horses,  mules,  and  cattle  in  numbers 
enough  to  supply  every  agricultural  want. 

There  are  birds  of  all  species  in  the  woods  or  on  the 
fields  or  plains  of  every  part  of  Florida,  and  it  can  be 
imagined  how  they  swarmed  at  Oamdless  Bay.  Above 
the  trees  soared  the  white-headed  eagles  with  great  spread 
of  wing,  whose  shrill  call  resembles  the  fanfare  of  a  cracked 
trumpet,  vultures  of  extraordinary  ferocity,  giant  bitterns, 
with  a  pointed  beak  like  a  bayonet.  On  the  banks  of  the 
river  among  the  reeds  and  beneath  the  interlacement  of 
gigantic  bamboos  were  flamingoes,  pink  or  scarlet,  white 
ibises  looking  as  if  tliey  had  been  stolen  from  some 
Egyptian  monolith,  pelicans  of  colossal  stature,  myriads 
of  terns,  sea-swallows  of  all  kinds,  crab- catchers  with  tuft 
and  green  pelisse,  purple-plumaged  curlews,  with  browu 


CAMDLÈSS  BAt. 


down  spotted  with  white,  jacamars,  kingfishers  with  golden 
reflections,  a  whole  world  of  divers,  waterhens,  widgeons  of 
the  whistling  species,  quails,  plovers,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
petrels,  puflBns,  scissorbeaks,  seacrows,  gulls,  and  tropic- 
birds  which  the  wind  would  bring  into  the  St.  John's,  and 
occasionally  even  flying-fish,  beloved  of  epicures.  On  the 
prairies  swarmed  snipe,  woodcock,  curlews,  marbled  god- 
wits,  sultan-fowls  with  plumage  of  red,  blue,  green,  yellow, 
and  white,  like  a  flying  palette,  partridges,  and  white- 
headed,  red-winged  pigeons;  among  the  eatable  quadru- 
T)eds,  grey  squirrels,  long-tailed  rabbits,  half-way  between 
the  hare  and  rabbit  of  Europe,  and  herds  of  deer,  and 
besides  these,  raccoons,  turtle,  ichneumons,  and  unfortu- 
nately a  good  many  serpents  of  venomous  species.  Such  was 
the  representation  of  the  animal  kingdom  at  Camdlesg 
Bay,  without  reckoning  the  negroes,  male  and  female, 
employed  on  the  plantation.  And  if  these  were  human 
beings,  what  excuse  was  there  for  the  monstrous  custom 
of  slavery,  by  which  they  were  bought  and  sold  like 

cattle  ?  .       J.  1  i.. 

How  was  it  that  James  Burbank,  a  partisan  of  the  anti- 
slavery  cause,  a  Northerner,  hoping  for  the  triumph  of 
the  North,  had  not  been  able  to  free  the  slaves  on  his 
plantation  ?  Would  he  hesitate  to  do  it  when  circum- 
stances became  favourable  ?  Certainly  not  !  And  it  was 
now  only  a  question  of  weeks,  of  days  perhaps,  before  the 
Federal  army,  which  already  occupied  the  outposts, 
would  advance  into  Florida. 

Already  Burbank  had  done  all  he  could  to  improve  the 
lot  of  his  slaves,  There  were  about  seven  hundred  blacks, 
of  both  sexes,  properly  lodged  in  the  large  barracoons,  well 
looked  after  and  kindly  treated,  and  worked  well  within 
their  powers.  The  overseer  had  orders  to  treat  them  all 
with  justice  and  consideration;  and  the  duties  were  done 
none  the  worse  for  corporal  punishment  having  for  some 
time  been  abandoned  at  Camdless  Bay.  This  was  a  strik- 
ing contrast  with  the  custom  of  the  generality  of  Floridan 
plantations,  and  the  system  was  not  looked  on  with  favour 
by  James  Burbank's  neighbours.  And,  as  may  be  imag- 
ined, this-  made  matters  somewhat  embarrassing,  particu- 
larly now  the  fortune  of  arms  had  come  to  the  solution  of 
the-  slavery  question. 

The  slaves  dwelt  in  healthy,  comfortable  huts.  Grouped 


20  TEXAE*S  REVENGE. 

in  fifties,  these  huts  formed  a  dozen  villages,  otherwise 
called  barracoons,  by  the  side  of  a  running  stream.  There 
the  blacks  lived  with  their  wives  and  children.  Each 
family  was  as  much  as  possible  employed  in  the  same 
work  in  the  fields,  the  forests,  or  the  workshops,  so  that 
its  members  were  not  scattered  during  working  hours. 
At  the  head  of  these  villages  was  a  sub-overseer,  acting  as 
mayor  practically,  with  his  head-qUarters  in  the  private 

f rounds  of  Camdless  Bay.  These  grounds  were  enclosed 
y  a  high  palisade,  of  which  the  pointed  stakes  rose  verti- 
cally, half -hidden  beneath  the  verdure  of  the  exuberant 
vegetation.  Inside  the  palisade  rose  the  private  house  of 
the  Burbank  family.  Half  house  and  half  castle,  it  had 
appropriately  been  called  Oastle  House. 

For  many  years  Camdless  Bay  had  belonged  to  the 
ancestors  of  James  Burbank.  When  there  was  a  fear  of 
Indian  depredations,  the  owners  had  fortified  the  princi- 
pftl  house.  The  time  was  not  very  distant  when  General 
Jessup  defended  Florida  ^gainst  the  Seminoles.  The 
colonists  had  suffered  much  from  these  nomads.  Not 
only  did  the  Indians  rob  them,  but  they  added  murder  to 
the  burning  of  their  homes.  Even  the  towns  were  threat- 
ened with  invasion  and  pillage.  In  many  a  spot  rose  the 
ruins  that  the  bloodthirsty  Indians  left  smoking  behind 
them.  Less  than  fifty  miles  from  Camdless  Bay  there 
was  still  to  be  seen  ''the  house  of  blood ''in  which  Mr. 
.  Motte  and  his  wife  and  three  daughters  had  been  scalped 
and  massacred  by  the  Seminoles.  But  the  war  of  exter- 
mination between  the  white  man  and  the  red  man  is  prac- 
'tically  over;  the  Seminoles  were  conquered,  and  sought 
refuge  to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi.  People  spoke  of 
them  no  more,  though  a  few  bands  still  roamed  among 
the  marshes  of  southern  Florida. 

It  will  therefore  be  understood  that  the  houses  of  the 
colonists  were  built  so  as  to  defy  a  sudden  attack  of  the 
Indians,  and  hold  out  until  the  arrival  of  battalions  of 
volunteers,  enrolled  in  the  towns  or  neighbouring  villages. 
And  on  this  plan  Castle  House  had  been  designed. 

It  stood  on  a  slight  rise  of  the  ground,  in  the  centre  of 
a  small  park  of  about  three  acres,  situated  a  few  hundred 
yards  from  the  St.  John's.  A  rather  deep  watercourse 
ran  round  the  park,  and  the  palisading  on  its  inner  bank 
completed  the  defence.   The  only  entrance  was  by  a  little 


21 


bridge  thrown  across  the  circular  moat.  Behind  the  rise, 
a  mass  of  beautiful  trees  covered  the  slopes  of  the  park. 
An  avenue  of  young  bamboos,  with  the  stems  crossing  in 
pointed  arches,  formed  a  long  nave,  leading  from  the  lawn 
to  the  landing-place.  Beyond,  among  the  trees,  were 
green  lawns  and  wide  paths  with  white  borders,  ending 
in  a  •  sandy  terrace  along  the  principal  front  of  Castle 
House. 

The  castle  was  irregularly  built,  and  offered  much  of 
the  unexpected  in  its  grouping  and  of  the  capricious  in 
its  details.  But  should  its  assailants  ever  break  through 
■  the  park  palisades,  it  would  remain  defensible,  and  could 
maintain  a  siege  of  some  hours.  Its  windows  on  the 
ground-floor  were  protected  by  iron  bars.  The  main  door 
in  the  front  face  was  as  strong  as  a  portcullis.  At  certain 
points  along  the  walls,  which  were  built  of  a  sort  of  mar- 
ble, were  a  few  turrets,  which  rendered  the  defence  easier, 
as  they  allowed  of  the  aggressors  being  taken  in  flank.  In 
short,  with  its  openings  reduced  to  such  only  as  were 
strictly  necessary,  the  central  tower,  on  which  flew  the 
standard  "of  the  United  States,  its  lines  of  battlements 
along  some  of  the  ridges,  the  slope  of  its  wall  at  the  foot, 
its  high  roof,  many  pinnacles,  the  thickness  of  its  inner 
walls,  which  here  and  there  were  loopholed,  the  place  re- 
sembled a  fortress  much  more  than  a  dwelling  house. 

As  we  have  said,  it  had  been  necessary  to  build  it  so  for 
the  security  of  its  inhabitants  at  the  time  of  the  Indian 
troubles  in  Florida.  There  was  even  in  existence  a  sort 
of  subterranean  tunnel  which,  after  passing  under  the 
palisade  and  circular  moat,  put  Castle  House  in  communi- 
cation with  a  little  creek  of  the  St.  John^s  called  Marine 
Creek.  This  tunnel  could  serve  as  a  means  of  secret 
escape  in  case  of  extreme  danger. 

At  the  time  in  question,  the  Seminoles,  having  been 
driven  out  of  the  peninsula  twenty  years  before,  were  no 
longer  to  be  feared.  But  who  could  say  what  was  re- 
served for  the  future  ?  and  might  not  the  danger  James 
Burbank  had  no  reason  to  fear  from  the  Indians,  come 
from  his  compatriots  ?  Was  he  not  an  isolated  North- 
erner at  the  end  of  the  Southern  States,  exposed  to  all  the 
changes  of  a  civil  war,  which  had  been  hitherto  most 
sanguinary  and  fertile  in  reprisals  ? 

But  the  necessity  of  providing  for  the  safety  of  Castle 


Il 


22  I^ëxar's  kïîVeîïgîj. 

House  had  in  no  way  interfered  with  its  interior  comfort. 
The  rooms  were  large  and  luxuriantly  and  superbly  fur- 
nished. The  Burbank  family  were  blessed  with  every 
comfort  and  every  satisfaction  fortune  can  give  when  it  is 
united  to  artistic  feeling  on  the  part  of  its  possessor. 

Behind  the  house,  in  the  private  park,  were  splendid 
gardens,  extending  to  the  palisade.  The  stakes  were 
hidden  beneath  climbing  shrubs  and  passion-flowers,  amid 
which  humming-birds  hopped  in  myriads.  Orange-trees, 
olive-trees,  fig-trees,  pomegranate-trees,  and  pontederias 
with  blue  bouquets,  and  magnolias  with  calices  of  old 
ivory  perfuming  the  air,  palm.-trees  waving  their  fans  in 
the  breeze,  garlands  of  violet-shaded  cobœas,  clumps  of 
green  resetted  tupeas,  yuccas  with  their  sharp  clicking 
sabres,  rosy  rhododendrons,  clumps  of  myrtle  and  shad- 
docks— in  fact  everything  produced  by  the 'flora  of  a  zone 
which  touches  the  Tropics  and  could  be  gathered  in  its 
parterres  to  perfume  the  air  or  please  the  eye* 

At  the  extremity  of  the  palisading,  under  the  cypresses 
and  baobabs,  were  the  stables,  coachhouses,  kennels, 
dairy,  and  poultry-yard.  Under  the  thick  foliage  of 
these  fine  trees,  impenetrable  by  the  sun,  the  domestic 
animals  had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  heat  of  summer,  and 
the  running  water  brought  in  from  the  streams  close  by 
gave  an  agreeable  and  healthy  freshness  to  all. 

This  private  domain  was,  it  will  be  seen,  a  marvellously 
well-arranged  nook  in  the  centre  of  James  Burbank's  es- 
tablishment. No  rattle  from  the  cotton-mills,  roar  from 
the  saw-mills,  ring  of  the  axes  on  the  tree-trunks,  nor  any 
of  the  sounds  which  are  inseparable  from  such  an  impor- 
tant concern,  could  be  heard  beyond  the  palisades. 

The  thousands  of  birds  of  the  Floridan  fauna  would 
pass  and  flatter  from  tree  to  tree.  But  these  winged 
songsters,  whose  plumage  rivalled  the  brilliancy  of  the 
flowers,  were  as  welcome  as  the  perfumes  which  the  breeze 
bore  with  it  as  it  swept  over  the  neighbouring  woods  and 
prairies. 

Such  was  Camdless  Bay,  the  plantation  of  James  Bur- 
bank,  one  of  the  richest  in  eastern  Florida. 


THÊ  WAS  Oî'  gEÔES&lOÎÏ. 


23 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  WAR  OF  SECESSION". 

And  now  for  a  few  words  on  the  war  of  secession,  with 
which  this  history  is  intimately  connected. 

And  in  the  first  place  let  this  be  understood,  as  has 
been  well  said,  in  his  remarkable  "  History  of  the  Civil 
War  in  America,"  by  the  Comte  de  Paris,  who  was  for- 
merly one  of  General  McClellan's  aide-de-camps,  this  war 
was  not  caused  by  any  question  of  tariffs,  nor  of  a  differ- 
enceof  origin  between  the  North  and  the  South.  The 
Anglo  Saxon  race  reigns  over  the  whole  territory  of  the 
United  States.  The  commercial  question  was  never  enter- 
tained in  this  terrible  fratricidal  strife.  "It  was  slavery, 
which,  prospering  in  one  half  of  the  Republic  and  abol- 
ished in  the  other,  created  two  hostile  societies.  It  had 
profoundly  modified  the  manners  of  those  where  it  pre- 
vailed, while  leaving  untouched  the  outward  forms  of 
government.  It  was  not  the  pretext  or  the  occasion,  but 
the  cause,  and  the  only  cause,  of  the  antagonism  which 
inevitably  resulted  in  civil  war." 

In  the  slave  states  there  were  three  classes.  The  lowest 
consisted  of  four  millions  of  enslaved  negroes,  a  third  of 
the  population.  The  highest  was  the  caste  of  the  slave- 
holders, comparatively  uneducated,  rich,  scornful,  who 
kept  the  direction  of  public  affairs  completely  in  their 
hands.  Between  these  clavsses  was  the  lower  class  of 
whites,  turbulent,  idle  and  miserable,  ardent  advocates  for 
the  maintenance  of  slavery  for  fear  of  seeing  the  freed 
negroes  elevated  to  their  level. 

The  Northerners  had  against  them  not  only  the  rich 
proprietors,  but  also  those  whites  who  lived,  especially  in 
the. country,  among  the  slave  population.  The  strife  was 
consequently  frightful.  In  families  such  dissensions  wei-e 
produced  that  brothers  fought  against  each  other,  some 
under  the  Federal,  some  under  the  Confederate  flag. 
But  a  great  nation  could  not  hesitate  to  destroy  slavery 
to  its  roots.  In  the  last  century  the  illustrious  Franklin 
had  demanded  its  abolition.   In  1807  Jefferson  had  rec- 


ommended  Congress  to  prohibit  a  traffic  of  which  the 
morality,  honour,  and  dearest  interests  of  the  country  had 
long  required  the  disappearance."  .  The  North  was  there- 
fore in  the  right  to  march  against  the  South  and  subdue 
it.  And  to  follow  that  with  a  closer  union  between  the 
elements  of  the  Republic,  and  the  destruction  of  that 
fatal,  threatening  illusion  that  the  citizen  owed  obedience 
first  to  his  own  state,  and  in  the  second  place  to  the  fed- 
eration. 

lb  was  in  Florida  that  the  first  question  as  to  slavery 
had  arisen.  At  the  commencement  of  the  century  a  half- 
breed  Indian  chief,  named  Osceola,  had  for  his  wife  a  ma- 
roon slave  born  in  the  marshy  part  of  Florida  known  as 
the  Everglades.  One  day  the  woman  was  recaptured  as 
a  slave  and  taken  away  by  force.  Osceola  raised  the  In- 
dians, began  an  anti-slavery  campaign,  and  was  taken 
prisoner  and  died  in  his  prison.  But  the  war  continued, 
and,  says  the  historian  Thomas  Higginson,  "the  money 
it  cost  was  three  times  as  much  as  that  paid  to  Spain  for 
the  purchase  of  Florida." 

And  now  for  the  beginnings  of  the  war  of  secession, 
and  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  month  of  February,  1862, 
when  James  Burbank  and  his  family  were  to  experience 
such  terrible  counterblows  that  it  has  appeared  interest- 
ing to  us  to  make  them  the  subject  of  this  history. 

On  the  16th  October,  1859,  the  heroic  Captain  John 
Brown,  at  the  head  of  a  small  band  of  fugitive  slaves,  liad 
seized  on  Harper's  Ferry  in  Virginia.  His  object  was  to 
free  the  men  of  colour.  He  proclaimed  it  loudly.  Beaten 
by  the  militia,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  condemned  to 
death,  and  hanged  at  Charlestown  on  the  3nd  of  December 
1859,  with  six  of  his  companions. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  1860,  a  convention  assem- 
bled in  South  Carolina  and  adopted  with  enthusiasm  the 
proposal  of  secession.  The  following  year,  on  the  4th  of 
March,  1861,  Abraham  Lincoln  was  elected  President  of 
the  Republic.  The  Southern  States  regarded  his  election 
as  a  menace  to  the  institution  of  slavery.  On  the  11th  of 
April,  Fort  Sumter,  one  of  the  forts  defending  Charleston 
harbour,  fell  into  the  power  of  the*  Southerners  com- 
manded by  General  Beauregard.  North  Carolina,  Vir- 
ginia, Arkansas,  and  Tennessee  at  ouce  threw  in  their  lot 
with  the  Separatists. 


THE  WAR  OF  SECESSION. 


25 


Seventy-five  thousand  volunteers  were  raised  by  the 
Federal  Government.  At  the  outset  Washington,  the 
capital  of  the  United  States  of  America,  was  prepared 
against  a  sudden  attack,  the  arsenals  of  the  North  which 
were  empty  were  revictualled — those  of  the  South  had 
been  well  provisioned  by  President  Buchanan.  War  ma- 
terial was  got  together  with  extraordinary  effort.  Then 
Abraham  Lincoln  declared  the  Southern  ports  in  a  state 
of  blockade. 

Active  hostilities  broke  out  in  Virginia.  McClellan 
repulsed  the  rebels  in  the  west  ;  but  on  the  21st  of  July, 
at  Bull  Run,  the  Federal  troops,  under  the  orders  of 
MacDowell,  were  routed,  and  fled  to  Washington.  The 
Southerners  feared  no  longer  for  the  safety  of  Richmond, 
but  the  Northerners  had  much  to  fear  for  the  capital  of 
the  American  Republic.  A  few  months  afterwards  the 
Federals  were  again  defeated  at  BulFs  Bluff.  These  mis- 
fortunes were  compensated  for  by  the  expeditions  that 
put  into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists  Fort  Hatteras  and 
Port  Royal  Harbour,  which  the  Separatists  never  retook. 
At  the  end  of  1861,  thç  command-in-chief  of  the  armies 
of  the  Union  was  given  to  Major-General  George  McClel- 
lan. 

During  this  year  the  Confederate  corsairs  swept  the 
seas  of  both  worlds.  They  were  welcomed  in  the  ports  of 
France,  England,  Spain,  and  Portugal — a  great  mistake 
which,  by  giving  the  Secessionists  the  rights  of  belliger- 
ents, resulted  in  encouraging  and  prolonging  the  civil 
war. 

The  naval  events,  which  caused  so  much  stir,  were  the 
appearance  of  the  Sumter  and  her  famous  Captain 
Semmes;  the  appearance  of  the  ram  Manassas;  on  the 
12th  of  October  the  sea-fight  at  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 
sippi; on  the  8th  of  November,  the  stoppage  of  the  Trent, 
an  English  ship  on  which  Captain  Wilkes  captured  the 
Confederate  envoys — and  which  nearly  brought  on  a  war 
between  Great  Britain  and  the  States. 

Meanwhile  Abolitionists  and  Slaveholders  were  engaged 
in  sanguinary  combats,  with  alternating  success  and  de- 
feat in  the  State  of  Missouri.  One  of  the  chief  generals 
of  the  North,  Lyon,  was  killed,  and  this  necessitated  the 
retreat  of  the  Federals  to  RoUa,  and  the  march  of  Price 
and  his  Confederates  towards  the  North,   There  was  9t 


26 


tbxar's  revenge. 


fight  at  Frederictown  on  the  21st  of  October*  and  at 
Springfield  on  the  25th,  and  on  the  27th,  Fremont  oocvi- 
pied  the  latter  town  with  his  Federals.  On  the  19th  of. 
December,  the  fight  at  Belmont  between  Grant  and  Polk 
was  indecisive.  At  lengh  winter,  which  is  always  severet 
in  North  America,  put  an  end  to  the  operations. 

In  the  first  months  of  the  year  1862,  truly  prodigious 
efforts  were  made  by  both  sides. 

In  the  North,  Congress  voted  a  levy  of  500,000  volun- 
teers— ^.there  were  a  niillion  before  the  end  of  the  struggle 
— and  sanctioned  a  loan  of  500  millions  of  dollars.  Huge 
armies  were  created,  the  chief  being  that  of  the  Potomac. 
Their  generals  were  Banks,  Butler,  Sherman,  McOlellan, 
Meade,  Thomas,  Kearney,  Halleck,  to  mention  only  the 
most  famous.  Infantry,  cavalry,  artillery,  engineers,  were 
formed  and  organized.  War  material  was  manufactured 
at  express  speed,  Miniè  and  Oolt  carbines,  rifled  cannon 
on  the  Parrott  and  Rodman  systems,  smoothbore  cannon 
and  Dahlgren  columbiads,  howitzers,  revolver-cannons, 
siege  artillery,  and  shrapnel  shell.  They  organized  army 
telegraphs  and  army  balloons,  the  reporting  service  of  tlie 
large  newspapers,  the  transport  service  employing  20,000 
carts,  drawn  by  84,000  mules.  Provisions  of  all  kinds 
were  got  in  under  the  direction  of  the  chief  of  the  com- 
missariat. New  ships  of  the  ram  type  were  built  on  the 
plan  of  Colonel  Ellet,  ^and  armoured  gunboats  were 
built  on  the  plan  of  the  Commodore  Foote,  to  make  their 
first  appearance  in  maritime  war. 

In  the  South  equal  zeal  was  shown.  The  cannon 
foundries  of  New  Orleans  and  Memphis,  and  the  forges 
of  Tredegar,  near  Richmond,  turned  out  their  Parrotts 
and  Rodmans.  But  that  was  not  enough.  Tiie  Confed- 
erate Government  sent  across  to  Europe.  Liège  and 
Birmingham  sent  shiploads  of  arms,  and  cannon  on  the 
Armstrong  and  Whitworth  systems.  Blockade-runners 
brought  the  material  into  the  ports,  and  took  away  cotton 
in  exchange.  Then  the  army  was  organized.  Its  generals 
were  Johnston,  Lee,  Beauregard,  Jackson,  Crittenden, 
Floyd,  and  Pillow.  Irregular  troops,  militia  and  guerillas, 
were  raised  in  addition  to  the  four  hundred  thousand  vol- 
unteers enrolled  for  three  years  at  the  most,  or  one  year 
at  the  least,  voted  by  the  Secessionist  Congress  on  the  8th 
of  August, 


THE  WAR  OF  SECESSION. 


27 


The  preparations  did  not  hinder  the  strife  from  begin- 
ning before  the  winter  was  half  over.  Of  the  slaveholding 
territory,  the  Federal  Government  occupied  only  Maryland, 
Western  Virginia,  some  part  of  Kentucky,  most  part  of 
Missouri,  and  a  few  points  on  the  sea  coast. 

Hostilities  first  broke  out  again  in  the  east  of  Kentucky. 
On  the  7th  of  January,  Garfield  fought  the  Confederates  at 
Middle  Creek,  and  on  the  25th  they  were  beaten  again  at 
Logan  Cross,  or  Mill  Springs.  On  the  2nd  of  February 
Grant  embarked  with  two  divisions  on  some  of  the  large 
Tennessee  steamboats,  to  support  Foote's  cuirassed  flotilla. 
On  the  6th,  Fort  Henry  fell  into  his  power.  Thus  was 
broken  a  link  of  the  chain  "  on  which,"  said  the  historian 
of  this  civil  war,  rested  the  whole  system  of  his  adversary 
Johnston's  d*^fence.^'  Cumberland  and  the  capital  of 
Tennessee  were  thus  threatened,  and  were  within  easy 
reach  of  the  Federal  troops;  and  Johnston  endeavoured  to 
concentrate  on  Fort  Donelson,  so  as  to  regain  a  surer  base 
for  the  defensive. 

At  this  time  another  expedition,  consisting  of  six  thou- 
sand men,  under  the  orders  of  Burnside,  and  a  flotilla  of 
twenty-four  armed  steamers  and  fifty  transports,  descended 
the  Chesapeake  and  assembled  in  Hampton  Roads  on  the 
12th  of  January.  In  face  of  violent  storms  it  started  on 
the  24th  of  January  for  Pimlico  Sound,  to  capture  Roa- 
noke Island,  and  reduce  the  coast  of  North  Carolina.  But 
the  island  was  fortified.  On  the  west  the  channel  was  de- 
fended by  a  barrier  of  sunken  ships.  Batteries  and  field 
works  made  access  difiicult.  Five  or  six  thousand  men 
with  a  flotilla  of  seven  gunboats  were  ready  to  withstand 
any  attempt  at  landing.  Nevertheless,  notwithstanding 
the  bravery  of  the  defenders,  on  the  7th  and  8th  of  Feb- 
ruary the  island  surrendered  to  Burnside,  with  twenty 
guns  and  more  than  two  thousand  prisoners.  Next  day 
the  Federals  were  masters  of  Elizabeth  City  and  the  coast 
of  Albemarle  Sound,  that  is  to  say,  the  north  of  this  in- 
land sea. 

But  to. conclude  this  description  of  the  position  of  af- 
fairs up  to  the  6th  of  February,  it  is  necessary  to  speak 
of  the  Confederate  general,  the  old  professor  of  chemistry, 
Jackson,  the  puritan  soldier  who  defended  Virginia.  After 
the  recall  of  Lee  to  Richmond  he  commanded  the  army. 
He  left  Winchester  on  the  13th  of  January,  with  his 


28 


texae's  revenge. 


10,000  men,  then  he  crossed  the  AUeghanies,  to  advance 
on  Bath  on  the  Ohio  railroad.  Defeated  by  the  climate, 
overwhelmed  by  the  snowstorms,  he  was  forced  to  return 
to-  Winchester,  without  having  attained  his  object. 

And  now  for  that  which  concerns  us  niore  specially,  on 
the  southern  coast  from  Carolina  to  Florida. 

During  the  second  half  of  1861,  the  Northerners  pos- 
sessed sufficient  swift  vessels  to  police  the  seas,  although 
they  could  not  catch  the  famous  Sumier  which  in  Jan- 
uary, 1862,  put  in  at  Gibraltar,  before  beginning  her 
cruise  in  European  waters.  The  Jefferson  Davis  endeav- 
ouring to  escape  from  the  Federals  had  fled  to  St.  Augus- 
tine in  Florida,  and  sunk  as  she  entered  the  channel. 
Almost  at  the  same  time  the  Anderson,  one  of  the  cruisers 
off  the  Florida  coast,  captured  the  privateer  Beauregard. 
But  in  England  new  ships  were  fitting  out  for  the  fray. 
It  was  then  that  President  Lincoln's  proclamation  ex- 
tended the  blockade,  a  fictitious  blockade  of  2800  miles. 
To  watch  them  only  two  squadrons  were  available:  one  to 
blockade  the  Atlantic,  the  other  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

On  the  12fch  of  October,  for  the  first  time,  the  Confed- 
erates endeavoured  to  clear  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi 
with  the  Manassas — the  first  ship  plated  with  iron  used  in 
the  war— and  a  flotilla  of  fire-ships.  The  attempt  did  not 
succeed,  and  the  corvette  Richinoîid  escaped  from  capture, 
safe  and  sound,  on  the  29th  of  December,  though  a  small 
steamer,  the  8eaUrd,  carried  ofE  a  Federal  schooner  in 
sight  of  Fort  Monroe. 

It  was,  however,  necessary  to  have  a  point  which  could 
serve  as  a  base  of  operations  for  the  Atlantic  cruisers.  The 
Federal  government  resolved  to  seize  on  Fort  Hatteras, 
which  defends  the  channel  of  the  same  name,  at  that  time 
much  used  by  the  blockade-runners.  Its  capture  was  not 
easy.  It  was  supported  by  a  square  redoubt,  called  Fort 
Clarke.  A  thousand  men  ana  the  Seventh  North  Caro- 
lina regiment,  were  entrusted  with  its  defence.  The 
Federal  squadron  composed  of  two  frigates,  three  cor- 
vettes, a  despatch- boat,  and  two  large  steamers  anchored 
in  the  passes  on  the  27th  of  August.  Commodore  String- 
ham  and  General  Butler  were  in  charge  of  the  attack. 
The  redoubt  was  taken.  Fort  Hatteras,  after  a  long  re- 
sistance, hoisted  the  white  flag,  and  a  base  of  ocerations 
Mim  secured  by  the  Northerners  for  the  rest  of  the  war. 


THE  WAR  OF  SECESSION. 


29 


In  November  the  island  of  Santa  Rosa,  at  the  east  of 
Pensacola,  on  the  Grulf  of  Mexico,  a  dependency  of  Flor- 
ida, fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Federals,  notwithstanding 
the  efforts  of  the  Qonfederates. 

The  capture  of  Fort  Hatteras  not  appearing  sufficient 
for  the  proper  conduct- of  their  operations,  it  was  decided 
to  occupy  other  positions  on  the  coasts  of  South  Carolina, 
Georgia,  and  Florida.  Two  steam  frigates,  the  Wabash  and 
Susquehannah,  three  sailing  frigates,  four  corvettes,  six 
gun-boats,  many  despatch- boats,  twenty-five  colliers  laden 
with  provisions,  and  thirty- two  steamers  transporting  15,- 
600  men  under  the  orders  of  General  Sherman,  were 
placed  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Dupont.  The 
flotilla  mustered  on  the  25th  of  October  before  Fort  Mon- 
roe. After  experiencing  a  terrible  storm  off  Cape  Hat- 
teras, the  fleet  reached  Hilton  Head  between  Charleston 
and  Savannah,  close  to  Port  Eoyal  Harbour,  one  of  the 
most  important  in  the  States,  and  where  General  Ripley 
held  command.  Forts  Walker  and  Beauregard  defended 
the  entrance,  about  two  miles  and  a  half  apart;  eight 
steamers  also  formed  part  of  the  defences,  and  the  bar 
rendered  the  harbour  almost  impregnable  to  an  enemv's 
fleet.  ^ 

On  the  5th  of  November,  the  channel  having  been 
buoyed,  Dupont  entered  the  harbour  after  a  cannonade, 
but  he  Was  not  able  to  land  Sherman's  troops.  On  the 
7th,  in  the  afternoon,  he  attacked  Fort  Walker  and  then 
Fort  Beauregard.  He  overwhelmed  them  with  his  storm 
of  shell.  The  forts  were  evacuated;  the  Federals  took 
possession  of  them  almost  without  a  struggle;  and  Sher- 
man occupied  the  position  which  was  of  so  much  impor- 
tance for  the  military  operations  that  were  to  follow. 

This  was  a  blow  at  the  very  heart  of  the  Southern 
States.  The  neighbouring  islands  fell  one  after  the  other 
into  the  power  of  the  Federals,  even  Tybee  Island  and 
Fort  Pulaski  which  commanded  the  Savannah  river.  At 
the  end  of  the  year  Dupont  was  master  of  the  five  great 
bays  of  North  Edisto,  St.  Helena,  Port  Royal,  Tybee, 
Warsaw,  and  all  the  islands  scattered  along  the  coast  of 
Carolina  and  Georgia.  And  on  the  1st  of  January,  1862, 
a  final  success  enabled  him  to  reduce  the  Confederate 
works  on  the  banks  of  the  Coosaw. 
Such  was  the"  situation  of  the  belligerents  at  the  com- 


30 


texar's  eevenge. 


mencement  of  February,  1862.  Such  was  the  progress  of 
the  Federals  towards  the  South,  when  the  fleet  of  Dupont 
and  the  troops  of  Sherman  were  menacing  Florida. 


CHAPTEK  IV. 

THE  BURBANK  FAMILY. 

It  was  a  few  minutes  past  seven  when  James  Burbank 
and  Edward  Carrol  mounted  the  steps  on  which  opened 
the  principal  door  of  Castle  House,  looking  towards  the 
St.  John's.  Zermah,  holding  the  little  girl  by  the  hand, 
walked  behind  them.  They  entered  the  hall,  which  was 
a  kind  of  large  vestibule  with  its  back  rounded  into  a 
dome,  and  containing  the  double  twist  of  the  great  stair- 
case which  led  to  the  upper  floors. 

Mrs.  Burbank  met  them,  accompanied  by  Perry,  the 
chief  overseer  of  the  plantation. 

"  No  news  from  Jacksonville?'* 

"No  news  from  Gilbert?" 

"Yes— a  letter." 

"  Heaven  be  praised!" 

Such  were  the  first  questions  and  answers  that  passed 
between  Mrs.  Burbank  and  her  husband.  James  Bur- 
bank, after  kissing  his  wife  and  little  Dy,  opened  the 
letter  which  was  handed  to  him.  It  had  not  been  opened 
in  his  absence,  for,  in  consideration  of  the  existing  state 
of  affairs,  Mrs.  Burbank  thought  it  best  that  her  hus- 
band should 'be  the  first  to  know  what  it  contained. 

"This  letter  did  not  come  by  the  post?"  asked  Bur- 
bank. 

"No,  sir,"  said  Perry,  "that  would  have  been  too 
riskv.  " 

"Who  brought  it?" 

"  A  Georgia  man  Mr.  Gilbert  felt  he  could  trust." 

"  When  did  it  arrive?" 

"Yesterday." 

"And  the  man?" 

"  Went  away  this  evening." 


THE  BUEBANK  FAMILY. 


31 


''Well  paid  for  his  work?" 

"  Yes,  well  paid/'  said  Mrs.  Burbank,  but  by  Gilbert, 
and  he  would  not  take  anything  from  us." 

The  hall  was  lighted  by  two  lamps  placed  on  a  marble 
table  before  a.  large  sofa.  James  Burbank  went  and  sat 
at  the  table,  and  his  wife  and  daughter  sat  near  him. 
Edward  Carrol,  after  shaking  hands  with  his  sister,  had* 
thrown  himself  into  an  arm-chair.  Zermah  and  Perry 
were  standing  together  near  the  stairs;  both  of  them  were 
sufficiently  of  the  family  for  the  letter  to  be  read  in  theii 
presence. 

The  letter  was  opened. 

"It  is  dated  the  3rd  ôf  February,"  said  James  Bnr- 
bank. 

"Four  days  after  date!"  said  Carrol,  '' that  is  a  long 
time  under  the  circumstances." 

''Read  it,  papa,  read  it,"  said  the  little  girl,-  with  a 
very. natural  impatience  at  her  age. 

"  This  is  what  it  says, — 

"  On  board  the  Wabash,  at  the  anchorage  of  Edisto. 

"3rd  February,  1862. 

"  Dear  Father,— I  begin  by  sending  my  love  to  my 
mother,  my  little  sister  and  yourself,  not  forgetting  Uncle 
Carrol,  and  to  omit  nothing,  I  send  Zermah  all  the  re- 
membrances of  her  husband,  my  brave  and  devoted  Mars. 
We  are  going  on  as  weil  as  possible,  and  should  very  much 
like  to  be  with  you.  It  will  not  be  long  before  we  are, 
notwithstanding  Mr.  Perry,  who,  on  seeing  the  progress 
of  the  North,  must  be  much  concerned— obstinate  slave- 
owner as  he  is,  the  worthy  overseer!" 

"  TJiat  is  one  for  you,  Perrv,"  said  Carrol. 

'^  Every  man  is  welcome  to  his  ideas,"  said  Perry,  in 
tlie  tone  of  a  man  who  had  no  intention  of  giving  up  his 
own.  ° 

Burbank  continued, — 

"  This  letter  will  reach  you  by  a  man  I  can  depend  on. 
l"u  will  have  heard  that  Commodore  Dupont's  squadron 
has  gained  possession  of  Port  Royal  Harbour  and  the 
neighbouring  islands.  The  North  is  gradually  beating 
the  South,  and  it  is  very  likely  that  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment will  occupy  the  chief  ports  of  Florida.  They  are 
talking  of  an  exj^edition  under  Dupont  and  Sherman  at 


92 


texar's  eevenge. 


the  end  of  the  month.  This  is  very  probable,  and  we 
shall  occupy  the  bay  of  St.  Andrew's  whence  we  shall 
adtnceTnto  Florida^  I  am  in  a  hurry  to  get  there,  dear 
?  mIt.        i^articularlv  wiih  our  victorious  flotilla,  ihe 

W  to  Sre  at  Oamdless  Bay.  If  I  could  get  away  I 
ï^hould  be  with  you  in  twenty-four  hours;  but  that  would 
bXo  risky  fOT  ™u  as  well  as  for  me,  and  you  must  be 
mtient  In  a  fW  months  we  shall  again  meet  toge  her 
Ktie  House.  And  now  I  must  «"f  asking  myself 
I  have  forgotten  anybody  in  my  message.  And  1  have. 
I  have  forlotten  Mi-.  Stannard  and  my  charming  Alice, 
whom  I  am  longing  to  see.  Give  my  regards  to  her 
fetC  and  to  he?  give  more  than  my  regards, 
tamer,  an       g  s  sincerely  yours, 

^  "  Gilbert  Burba.nk." 

Tames  Burbank  laid  the  letter  on  the  table,  and  Mrs. 
Burbank  iTf  tedTt  to  her  lips,  then  little  Dy  put  a  sound- 
ing kiss  on  her  brother's  signature. 

::iTb^^lrL^ir^- a^dt^^^^^^^^  loo^-^ 

^^:f^£T'«^rotr^^^^^^^  James  Burbauk 

Te  UnTonflag!   Our  position  here  may  end  m  being  un- 

^"if^îù  as  the  war  approached  the  South,  a  change 

toll  pUc'e  in  FtiTan  of  ion  on  %-bject 

set  the  United  States  at  varia,nce    PP,*°  "^f  ^f'S 


THE  BURBAHK:  FAMILY. 


33 


majority  among  the  authorities  of  St.  Augustine,  and 
principally  of  Jacksonville,  where  their  supporters  wei-e 
the  vilest  of  the  populace.  Hence  the  position  of  James 
Burbank,  whose  birth  and  ideas  we  know,  had  become  an 
anxious  one. 

Twenty  years  before,  James  Burbank  had  left  New 
Jersey,  where  he  still  possessed  some  property,  and  came 
to  Oamdless  Bay  with  his  wife  and  his  son,  then  four  years 
old.  We  know  how  the  plantation  had  prospered,  thanks 
to  his  own  intelligent  labours  and  the  assistance  of  his 
brother-in-law,  Edward  Carrol.  He  had  taken  a  great 
liking  to  the  vast  establishment  which  had  been  handed 
down  to  him  by  his  ancestors.  Here  was  born  his  second 
child,  little  Dy,  fifteen  years  after  he  had  fixed  his  home 
in  the  South. 

He  was  then  forty-six  years  old,  of  strong  constitution, 
accustomed  to  work,  and  never  sparing  himself.  We 
know  he  was  of  energetic  character;  firmly  attached  to  his 
opinions,  he  did  his  utmost  to  let  them  be  widely  known. 
He  was  tall  and  slightly  grey;  his  face  had  a  somewhat 
severe  but  frank  and  encouraging  look.  With  the  goatee 
of  the  Americans  of  the  North,  without  whiskers  or 
moustache,  he  was  a  typical  New  England  Yankee. 
Throughout  the  plantation  he  was  liked,  for  he  was  kind, 
and  he  was  obeyed,  for  he  was  just.  His  blacks  were 
devoted  to  him,  and  he  waited  not  without  impatience  for 
circumstances  to  permit  of  his  giving  them  their  liberty. 
His  brother-in-law  was  about  the  same  age,  and  took 
chai-ge  chiefly  of  the  accounts  of  Oamdless  Bay.  Carrol 
was  quite  at  one  with  him  in  everything,  and  shared  in  his 
view  of  the  slave  question. 

Mr.  Perry,  the  overseer,  was  the  only  one  of  a  different 
opinion  in  this  little  world  of  Camdless  Bay.  Let  it  not 
be  thought  that  this  worthy  man  ill-treated  the  slaves. 
Far  from  it.  He  even  tried  to  make  them  as  happy  as 
their  condition  allowed  him. 

"'But,"  said  he,  "there  are  warm  countries  in  which 
work  on  the  land  can  only  be  done  by  blacks,  and  blacks 
who  are  not  slaves  are  no  longer  blacks  !" 

Such  was  his  theory,  which  he  discussed  on  every 
occasion  that  offered.  But  he  was  in  no  way  discon- 
certed at  the  fortune  of  war  which  favoured  the  anti- 
slavery  cause.    He  was,  in  short,  an  excellent  fellow,  and 


a  brave  one  too,  and  when  James  Biirbank  and  Edward 
Carrol  had  joined  the  militia,  known  as  "  tl)e  minute 
men,"  from  being  ready  to  start  at  any  minute,  he  had 

fallantly  joined  them  in  their  last  struggle  with  the 
eminoles. 

Mrs.  Burbank  was  at  this  time  thirty-nine  years  of  age. 
She  was  still  very  handsome.  Her  daughter  would  one 
day  resemble  her.  James  Burbank  had  found  in  her  a 
loving,  affectionate  companion,  to  whom  he  owed  most  of 
the  happiness  of  his  life.  The  unselfish  woman  lived  but 
for  her  husband  and  her  children,  whom  she  adored,  and 
for  whose  safety  she  felt  the  keenest  apprehension  now 
that  circumstances  had  brought  the  civil  war  into  Florida. 
Diana,  or  rather  Dy,  as  she  was  familiarly  called,  a  child 
of  six,  quick,  loving,  and  happy,  lived  at  Castle  House 
with  her  mother,  but  Gilbert  was  away,  his  absence  caus- 
ing continued  anxiety,  which  Mrs.  Bui'bank  could  not 
always  dissimulate. 

Gilbert  was  then  in  his  twenty-fifth  year,  and  in  him 
were  conspicuous  the  moral  qualities  of  his  father,  with  a 
little  less  stiffness,  and  the  same  physical  qualities,  with  a 
little  more  grace  and  charm,  A  bold  companion,  skilled 
in  all  bodily  exercises,  he  was  as  accomplished  as  a  horse- 
man as  he  was  as  a  seaman  and  hunter.  To  the  great 
alarm  of  his  mother,  t!ie  huge  forests  and  marshes  o'f 
Duval  county  had  often  been  the  scene  of  his  exploits,  as 
had  the  creeks  and  passes  of  the  St.  John's  up  to  its  fur- 
thest mouth  at  Pablo.  Gilbert  felt  himself  fully  trained 
for  the  work  of  a  soldier  when  the  first  shots  were  fired 
in  the  war.  He  considered  that  his  duty  called  him  to  the 
Federal  troops,  and  he  did  not  hesitate.  He  asked  to 
be  allowed  to  go.  Great  was  the  grief  he  thus  caused  his 
mother,  and  great  was  the  danger  to  all,  but  James  Bur- 
bank did  not  dream  for  a  moment  of  refusing  his  son's 
request.  He  thought,  like  him,  that  it  was  a  duty,  and 
everything  must  give  place  to  duty. 

Gilbert,  then,  set  out  for  the  North;  but  his  departure 
was  kept  as  secret  as  possible.  If  it  was  known  at  Jack- 
sonville that  James  Burbank's  son  had  entered  tlie 
Northern  service,  reprisals  would  at  once  have  been  taken 
on  Camdless  Bay.  The  young  man  had  been  given  letters 
of  introduction  to  his  father's  friends  in  New  Jersey. 
He  had  always  shown  a  taste  for  the  sea,  and  his  friends 


THE  BUKBANK  FAMILY. 


35 


had  had  no  difficulty  in  procuring  him  an  appointment  in 
the  Federal  navy.  Promotion  was  rapid  in  those  days, 
and  as  Gilbert  was  not  one  of  those  who  remained  in  the 
rear,  he  soon  got  on.  The  Washington  Government  had 
its  eyes  on  this  young  man  who  in  the  position  he  found 
his  family,  did  not  hesitate  to  offer  his  services.  Gilbert 
distinguished  himself  at  the  attack  of  Fort  Sumter.  He 
was  on  the  Richmond  when  that  ship  was  rammed  by  the 
Manassas  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  and  contrib- 
uted largely  to  recapture  her.  After  this  affair  he  was 
made  an  ensign,  although  he  had  not  been  through  the 
naval  school  at  Annapolis  any  more  than  many  of  the 
other  officers  who  had  been  transferred  from  the  mercan- 
tile marine.  In  his  new  capacity  he  joined  the  squadron 
of  Commodore  Dupont,  and  assisted  at  the  brilliant  attack 
on  Fort  Hatteras  and  the  capture  of  the  Sea  Islands. 
During  the  last  few  weeks  he  had  been  a  lieutenant  on 
one  of  Dupont's  gunboats  which  were  about  to  force  the 
mouths  of  the  St.  John's. 

Gilbert  himself  longed  for  an  early  termination  of  the 
war.  He  loved  and  was  loved  ;  and  when  his  service  was 
over,  he  would  return  to  Oamdless  Bay  and  marry  the 
daughter  of  one  of  his  father's  best  friends. 

Mr.  Stannard  did  not  belong  to  the  class  of  Floridan 
planters.  A  widower,  and  a  man  of  fortune,  he  had  de- 
voted himself  entirely  to  the  education  of  his  daughter. 
He  lived  at  Jacksonville,  so  that  to  get  to  Cam d less  Bay 
he  had  only  to  go  up  three  or  four  miles  of  the  river. 
For  fifteen  years  not  a  week  had  passed  without  his  visit- 
ing the  Burbanks.  It  might  almost  be  said  that  Gilbert' 
and  Alice  were  brought  up  together,  and  a  marriage  that  ' 
had  been  planned  for  years  had  now  been  decided  on, 
which  would  bring  happiness  to  both.  Although  Walter 
Stannard  was  a  native  of  the  South,  he  was  an  anti-slavery 
man,  as  were  several  others  of  his  Floridan  fellow-citizens; 
but  these  were  not  numerous  enough  to  withstand  the 
majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  Jacksonville,  whose 
opinions  daily  tended  more  and  more  in  favour  of  the 
Saparatist  movement.  Stannard  and  his  friends  began 
consequently  to  be  looked  upon  unfavourably  by  the 
leaders  of  the  county,  and  especially  by  the  small  whites 
and  populace,  who  were  ready  for  any  excess. 

Walter  Stannard  was  born  at  New  Orleans.  Mrs, 


86 


TEXAR*S  REVENGE. 


Stannard  was  a  Frencliwoman;  slie  had  didd  young,  and 
left  to  her  daughter  those  noble  qualities  which  are 
peculiar  to  French  blood.  When  Gilbert  went  away, 
Alice  had  shown  an  energy  that  had  given  Mrs.  Burbank 
much  comfort  and  support.  Although  she  loved  Gilbert 
as  she  herself  was  loved,  she  invariably  told  his  mother 
that  it  was  his  duty  to  go  and  fight  for  the  good  cause,  to 
fight  for  the  freedom  of  a  race,  and,  in  short,  for  liberty. 
She  was  then  nineteen;  fair,  with  eyes  almost  blue,  of 
warm  complexion,  elegant  figure,  and  distinguished 
features.  She  might  be  a  little  serious,  but  so  mobile 
was  her  expression,  that  the  least  smile  would  light  up 
her  beautiful  face. 

The  Burbank  family  would  not  be  known  in  all  its  most 
faithful  members,  if  we  omitted  to  say  something  of  its 
two  servants,  Mars  and  Zermah. 

As  we  have  seen  from  his  letter,  Gilbert  had  not  gone 
away  alone.  Mars,  the  husband  of  Zermah,  had  accom- 
panied him.  He  could  not  have  found  a  more  devoted 
companion  than  this  slave  from  Camdless  Bay,  who  had 
become  free  by  setting  foot  on  anti-slavery  soil.  But 
to  Mars,  Gilbert  was  always  ''the  young  master,"  and  he 
would  not  leave  him,  although  the  Federal  Government 
had  already  formed  regiments  of  negroes,  where  he  would 
have  found  a  place. 

Mars  and  Zermah  were  not  of  the  negro  race  by  birth." 
They  were  half-breeds.  Zermah's  brother  was  that  heroic 
slave,  Robert  Small,  who,  four  months  later,  captured 
from  the  Confederates,  in  the  very  bay  of  Charleston,  a 
steamer  with  two  guns,  which  he  took  over  to  the  Federal 
fleet. 

The  marriage  of  Zermah  and  Mars  was  a  happy  one  ; 
which  more  than  once,  during  its  first  years,  the  odious 
traflBc  in  slaves  had  threatened  to  break.  It  was  at  the 
moment  when  they  were  about  to  be  separated  by  the 
fortune  of  the  auction-room,  that  they  came  to  Camdless 
Bay. 

These  were  the  circumstances. 

Zermah  was  thirty-one  years  old.  Mars  thirty-five. 
Seven  years  before,  they  had  been  married  when  they, 
belonged  to  a  Mr.  Tickborn,  whose  plantation  was  on  the 
river,  twenty  miles  above  Camdless  Bay.  For  some  years 
Tickborn  had  had  business  transactions  with  Texar,  who 


was  often  a  welcome  visitor  to  the  plantation.  There  was 
nothing  surprising  in  this,  for  Tickborn  was  not  thought 
much  of  in  the  county.  His  abilities  were  not  very  bril- 
liant ;  and,  his  affairs  not  prospering,  he  was  obliged  to 
put  up  a  lot  of  his  slaves  for  sale. 

At  this  very  time,  Zermah,  who  was  very  badly  treated 
like  all  the  rest  on  Tickborn's  plantation,  brought  a  baby 
into  the  world,  which  was  immediately  taken  away  from 
her,  for  while  she  was  in  prison  for  a  crime  of  which  she 
was  innocent,  her  baby  died  in  her  arms.  It  may  be 
guessed  what  was  the  grief  of  Zermah,  and  the  anger  of 
Mars.  But  whal^  could  they  do  against  a  master  to  whom 
belonged  their  flesh,  living  or  dead,  because  he  had  bought 
it? 

To  this  sorrow  another  no  less  terrible  was  added.  Tbe 
day  after  their  child  died.  Mars  and  Zermah  were  packed 
off  to  the  auctioneer,  and  threatened  with  separation. 
Yes!  The  consolation  of  finding  themselves  together 
under  a  new  master  was  denied  them.  A  man  presented 
himself  who  offered  to  buy  Zermah,  and  Zermah  alone, 
although  he  did  not  own  a  plantation.  This  man  was 
Texar.  His  friend  Tickborn  was  about  to  sign  the  agree- 
ment when,  at  the  last  moment,  another  bidder  appeared 
on  the  scene  and  offered  a  higher  price.  This  was  James 
Burbank,  who  happened  to  be  at  the  sale,  and  was  touched 
at  the  fate  of  the  unhappy  half-breed,  praying  in  vain 
that  she  should  not  be  separated  from  her  husband. 

j^urbank  was  in  want  of  a  nurse  for  his  little  girl,  and 
learning  that  one  of  Tickborn's  slaves  had  just  lost  her 
child,  he  came  to  look  at  her  ;  but,  touched  by  Zermah's 
toîirs,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  offer  for  herself  and  husband 
a  price  that  exceeded  all  that  had  been  bid  up  to  then. 

Texar  knew  James  Burbank.  He  had  been  several 
times  warned  off  his  plantation  as  a  suspicious  person. 
And  from  this  arose  the  hatred  which  Texar  had  vowed 
to  all  the  family  of  Camdless  Bay.  Texar  tried  to  bid 
against  the  rich  planter.  It  was  in  vain.  He  grew 
obstinate.  He  rose  to  double  the  price  that  Tickborn 
had  asked  for  the  half-breed  and  her  husband.  This 
made  Burbank  pay  very  dearly  for  them — but  he  got 
them. 

And  so,  not  only  were  Zermah  and  Mars  not  separated 
from  each  other,  but  they  had  entered  the  sei'vice  of  the 


38 


best  planter  in  Florida.  Six  years  afterward?,  Zermah 
was  ritill  in  all  the  maturity  of  her  half-breed  beauty.  Of 
energetic  character,  heartily  devoted  to  her  master,  she 
hact  more  than  once  had  occasion — and  would  soon  have 
occasion  again — to  prove  her  fidelity.  Mars  was  worthy 
ot  the  wife  to  whom  the  charitable  act  of  James  Burbank 
had  forever  attached  him.  He  was  a  remarkable  speci- 
men of  those  Africans  in  whom  there  is  a  large  propor- 
tion of  Creple  blood.  Tall,  stout,  courageous  to  a  fault, 
he  served  his  new  master  well. 

These  two  new  servants  were  not  treated  like  slaves. 
They  had  soon  become  appreciated  for  their  kindness  and 
intelligence.  Mars  was  specially  occupied  in  looking 
after  young  Gilbert  ;  Zermah  was  Diana's  nurse.  In  such 
positions  they  were  bound  to  be  admitted  to  a  certain 
intimacy  with  the  family. 

Zermah  always  felt  a  mother's  love  for  the  little  girl, 
the  love  she  could  not  bear  the  child  she  had  lost.  Dy 
returned  it,  and  the  filial  affection  of  the  one  responded 
to  the  maternal  cares  of  the  other,  and  Mrs.  Burbank  was 
as  friendly  to  Zermah  as  she  was  grateful. 

The  same  feeling  existed  between  Gilbert  and  Mars. 
Active  and  strong,  the  half-breed  had  made  his  young 
master  an  expert  in  all  manly  exercises,  and  James  Bur- 
bank could  only  congratulate  himself  at  having  found 
him  for  his  son. 

Never  had  Zermah  and  Mars  been  so  happy,  and  that 
after  leaving  the  hands  of  Tickborn  and  nearly  falling 
into  those  of  Texar.    They  were  never  to  forget  it. 


•  CHAPTER  V. 

BLACK  CREEK. 

At  dawn,  the  morning  after  the  Shannon's  journey 
down  the  St.  John's,  a  man  was  walking  on  the  bank  of 
one  of  the  islets  at  the  bottom  of  the  lagoon  of  Black 
Creek.  It  was  Texar.  A  few  steps  away  was  an  Indian 
sitting  in  the  skiff  which  had  met  the  steamer.  It  waa 
Squambo. 


After  walking  up  and  down  for  a  minute  or  two,  Texar 
stopped  under^  a  magnolia- tree,  drew  down  one  of  the 
lower  branches  and  picked  off  a  leaf  and  its  stem.  Then 
he  drew  from  his  note-book  a  short  letter,  containing  only- 
three  or  four  words  written  in  ink.  He  rolled  up  the 
letter  and  stuffed  it  into  one  of  the  lower  veins  of  the 
leaf.  This  was  done  so  cleverly  that  the  leaf  lost  nothing 
of  its  usual  look. 

*'  Squambo  !"  said  Texfir. 
Master  !"  replied  the  Indian. 
Go — you  know  where  !" 

Squambo  took  the  leaf,  put  it  in  the  bow  of  the  skiff, 
sat  down  in  the  stern,  paddled  himself  off,  turned  the 
extreme  point  of  the  islet,  and  entered  the  tortuous  pas- 
sage under  the  thick  bower  of  trees. 

'J'he  lagoon  is  cut  up  into  a  labyrinth  of  channels, 
among  which  only  a  man  thoroughly  conversant  with  the 
tangled  network  of  black  waters  could  find  his  way. 

However,  Squambo  did  not  hesitate.  Where  no  one 
could  see  an  outlet  he  boldly  entered  with  his  skiff.  The 
lower  branches  that  he  lifted  up  fell  behind  him,  and  left 
no  trace  of  anything  having  passed  beneath  them.  Along 
winding  channels,  no  larger  than  drains,  he  paddled  his 
canoe.  Quite  a  world  of  aquatic  birds  flew  up  at  his 
approach.  Slimy  eels,  with  suspicious  heads,  slipped 
under  the  roots  which  emerged  from  the  water.  Squambo 
cared  for  none  of  these  things,  no  more  than  he  did  for 
the  sleeping  caymans,  which  he  could  wake  by  striking 
them  as  they  lay  on  their  beds  of  mud.  He  kept  on 
without  a  stoppage,  and  when  he  had  no  room  to  paddle, 
he  pushed  himself  along  as  if  with  a  boat-hook. 

Although  it  was  now  broad  daylight,  and  the  heavy 
night  mist  had.  begun  to  evaporate  under  the  first  rays  of 
the  sun,  nothing  could  be  seen  of  it  beneath  this  impene- 
trable roof  of  verdure.  Even  in  the  noonday  sun  no 
ray  of  light  could  pierce  it.  All  was  shrouded  in  semi- 
obscurity,  which  suited  well  the  crawling  creatures  that 
swarmed  in  its  black  waters,  and  the  thousands  of  aquatic 
plants  that  floated  on  their  surface. 

For  half  an  hour  Squambo  advanced  from  one  island  to 
another.  When  he  stopped,  it  was  because  his  skiff  had 
reached  one  of  the  last  branches  of  the  creek. 

At  this  spot,  where  the  marshy  part  of  the  creek  ended? 


40 


the  trees  were  less  crowded  and  intergrown,  and  the  light 
of  day  found  admittance.  Beyond  was  a  vast  prairie  bor- 
dered with  forest,  but  slightly  above  the  level  of  the  St. 
John's.  The  foot,  in  treading  on  the  marshy  ground, 
gave  the  same  sensation  as  if  treading  on  an  elastic  mat- 
tress. A  few  sassafras  bushes  with  slender  leaves  and 
violet  berries  dotted  the  surface  with  their  capricious  zig- 
zags. 

After,mooring  his  canoe  to  one  of  the  twigs  on  the 
bank,  Squambo  jumped  ashore.  The  night  mist  was  dry- 
ing off,  the  prairie,  quite  deserted,  was  gradually  rising 
from  the  fog.  Among  a  group  of  five  or  six  trees  close 
by  was  a  magnolia  of  moderate  height. 

The  Indian  stepped  towards  this  tree.  He  reached  it 
in  a  few  minutes,  and  drew  down  one  of  the  lower  bran- 
ches. To  its  end  he  fixed  the  leaf  that  Texar  had  given 
him,  then  the  bough,  left  to  itself,  sprung  up,  and  the 
leaf  was  lost  in  the  foliage. 

Squambo  returned  to  his  skiff,  and  paddled  back  to  the 
islet  where  his  master  awaited  him. 

Black  Creek  is  so  called  from  the  colour  of  its  waters, 
and  covers  an  area  of  about  six  hundred  acres.  Fed  by 
the  St.  John's,  it  is  a  sort  of  archipelago  quite  impene- 
trable to  those  who  do  not  know  its  infinite  windings. 
A  hundred  islands  dot  its  surface  ;  no  bridges  or  cause- 
ways join  them.  A  few  high  branches  interlace  above 
the  thousands  of  channels  that  separate  but  do  not  form 
easy  communication  lines  between  the  different  points  of 
the  lagoon. 

,  One  of  these  islands,  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  system, 
is  the  most  important  on  account  of  its  size — some  twenty 
acres — and  its  elevation,  five  or  six  feet  above  the  mean 
tide  of  the  St.  John's. 

At  some  distant  period,-  this  island  had  served  as  the 
site  of  a  fortress,  a  sort  of  blockhouse,  now  abandoned — 
at  least  in  a  military  sense.  Its  palisades,  half  ruined  by 
rot,  still  stood  beneath  the  large  trees,  magnolias, 
cypresses,  oaks,  black  walnuts,  and  austral  pines,  inter- 
laced by  festoons  of  cobœas  and  other  endless  creepers. 

Beyond  the  outer  ring  the  eye  could  make  out  under 
the  heap  of  verdure  the  geometrical  lines  of  the  little 
fortress,  or  rather  the  outpost,  which  had  never  been  in» 
tended  to  hold  more  than  a  score  of  men.    Narrow  loop- 


BLACK  CEEEK. 


41 


holes  peeped  out  of  the  wooden  walls.  Turfed  roofs  cov- 
ered them  with  a  carapace  of  earth.  Inside  were  a  few 
rooms  arranged  round  a  central  apartment,  containing  a 
store  of  provisions  and  munitions.  To  enter  the  fortress, 
it  was  necessary  to  get  through  the  palisades  at  the 
narrow  postern,  then  to  cross  the  yard,  planted  with  a 
few  trees,  and  mount  a  few  steps  built  up  of  boards. 
These  led  to  the  only  door  giving  admittance  to  the  inte- 
rior, and  was  merely  an  embrasure  that  had  been  altered 
to  suit  the  purpose. 

Such  was  the  usual  retreat  of  Texar — a  retreat  which 
nobody  knew.  There,  hidden  from  all  eyes,  he  lived 
with  this  Squambo,  who  was  devoted  to  a  master  of  whom 
he  did  not  think  much,  and  with  five  or  six  slaves,  who 
thought  even  less  of  him. 

This  islet  of  Black  Creek  was,  it  will  be  seen,  some  dis- 
tance from  the  wealthy  establishments  on  each  side  of  the 
river.  There  was  barely  a  living  on  it  for  Texar  and  his 
companions,  whose  wants  were  not  great.  A  few  domes- 
tic animals,  half  a  dozen  acres  planted  with  potatoes, 
yams,  cucumbers,  twenty  fruit-trees,  almost  in  their  wild 
state, — that  was  all,  without  counting  what  the  hunter 
could  find  in  the  neighbouring  forests,  or  the  fisherman  in 
the  lagoon,  which  never  failed  to  yield  its  harvest.  But, 
doubtless,  the  dwellers  at  Black  Creek  had  other  resources, 
of  which  only  Texar  and  Squambo  knew  the  secret. 

The  safety  of  the  blockhouse  was  almost  assured  by  its 
situation  in  such  an  inaccessible  spot.  Besides,  who 
would  seek  to  attack  it,  and  why  ?  In  any  case,  any  sus- 
picious approach  would  be  signalled  at  once  by  the  dogs 
of  the  island,  two  of  those  ferocious  bloodhounds  im- 
ported from  the  Caribbees,  formerly  employed  by  the  Span- 
iards to  hunt  down  the  negroes. 

Such  was  Texar's  dwelling,  and  it  was  worthy  of  him. 
Now  for  Texar  himself. 

Texar  was  then  about  thirty-five.  He  was  of  medium 
height,  and  of  vigorous  constitution,  hardened  by  the  ad- 
venturous life  in  the  open  air  which  had  always  been  his. 
A  Spaniard  by  birth,  he  did  not  hide  his  origin.  His 
hair  was  black  and  coarse,  his  eyebrows  thick,  his  eyes 
greenish,  his  mouth  large,  with  thin  indrawn  lips,  as  if  it 
had  been  made  by  a  sabre-stroke,  his  nose  short,  and  his 
nostrils  like  those  of  a  wild  beast.    His  whole  physiog- 


42 


texar's  revenge. 


nomy  denoted  craft  and  violence.  He  had  formerly  grown 
his  full  beard;  but  for  the  last  two  years,  after  it  had  been 
half  burnt  in  some  affair  that  no  one  knew  anything 
about,  he  had  shaved  it  off,  and  the  cruelty  of  his  features 
was  rendered  all  the  more  apparent. 

Twelve  years  before,  this  adventurer  had  come  to  settle 
in  Florida  in  this  abandoned  blockhouse,  the  possession 
of  which  nobody  thought  of  disputing.  Whence  came 
he  ?  Nobody  knew.  What  had  been  his  former  life  ?  It 
was  said,  and  rightly  so,  that  he  had  been  a  slave-dealer, 
and  had  sold  his  cargoes  of  blacks  in  the  ports  of  Georgia 
and  the  Carolinas.  Had  he  made  a  fortune  in  this  odious 
trade  ?  It  did  not  seem  like  it.  And,  in  fact,  his  repu- 
tation was  of  the  slightest  even  in  a  country  where  men 
of  his  sort  are  numerous. 

Nevertheless,  if  Texar  was  better  known  than  respected, 
that  did  not  prevent  his  exercising  a  Teal  influence  in  the 
county,  and  particularly  at  Jacksonville,  although  it  was, 
it  is  true,  among  the  least  reputable  inhabitants.  He  often 
went  to  the  chief  town  on  business,  which  he  never  spoke 
about,  and  had  made  a  number  cf  friends  among  the 
small  whites  and  more  objectionable  people  of  the  place. 
This  we  have  seen  when  he  was  returning  to  St.  Augus- 
tine with  his  companions.  His  influence  extended  to  a 
few  planters  on  the  St.  John's,  whom,  he  sometimes  vis- 
ited, though  they  never  visited  him,  for  no  one  knew  of 
his  retreat  at  Black  Creek. 

Sport  was  a  natural  pretext  for  this  intercourse,  which 
established  itself  without  difficulty  among  people  of  the 
same  habits  and  tastes.  This  influence  had  grown  during 
the  last  few  years,  owing  to  the  opinions  which  Texar 
ardently  defended.  The  slave  question  had  hardly 
brought  about  the  division  between  the  United  States, 
than  the  Spaniard  had  posed  as  the  most  obstinate  and 
determined  of  slavery  partisans.  It  should  be  understood 
that  he  had  little  real  interest  in  the  matter,  for  his  slaves 
only  amounted  to  half  a  dozen.  It  was  the  principle  he 
sought  to  defend.  By  what  means  ?  By  an  appeal  to 
the  most  hateful  passions,  by  exciting  the  cupidity  of  the 
populace,!  by  urging  them  to  pillage,  incendiarism,  even 
to  murder,  against  the  inliabitants  or  planters  who  shared 
in  the  ideas  of  the  Northerners.  And  now  this  danger- 
ous adventurer  was  seeking  to  supersede  the  civil  authori- 


BLACK  CREEK. 


43 


ties  of  Jacksonville,  men  of  moderate  opinions  and  higli 
character,  by  the  most  furious  of  his  partisans.  By  be- 
coming master  of  the  county,  he  would  have  a  free  field 
for  the  exercise  of  his  personal  vengeance. 

It  will  be  understood  from  this,  why  James  Biirbank 
and  other  planters  had  not  neglected  to  keep  an  eye  on 
the  proceedings  of  such  a  man,  whose  evil  instincts  had 
already  made  him  formidable  ;  and  why  the  hate  on  one  ^ 
sid^  and  defiance  on  the  other  had  been  augmented  by  the 
approaching  events. 

Besides,  there  was  much  in  thé  past  life  of  Texar  after 
he  had  retired  from  trade  which  was  suspicious.  During 
the  last  outbreak  of  the  Seminoles,  everything  seemed  to 
prove  that  he  had  a  secret  understanding  with  them. 
Had  he  told  them  what  blows  to  strike,  what  plantations 
to  attack  ?  Had  he  helped  them  in  their  ambushes  and 
surprises  ?  There  was  a  strong  suspicion  that  this  was  the 
case,  and  the  magistrates  had  issued  a  warrant  against  the 
Spaniard,  and  brought  him  to  trial.  But  Texar  had 
pleaded  an  alibi,  a  plan  of  defence  of  which  he  again  availed 
himself  later  on;  and  it  v^^as  proved  he  could  not  have 
taken  part  in  the  attack  on  a  farm  in  Duval  county,  when 
at  the  same  moment  he  was  at  Savannah,  in  the  State  of 
Georgia,  about  forty  miles  to  the  north.  . 

During  the  following  years  there  were  many  serious 
robberies,  sometimes  from  plantations,  sometimes  from 
travellers.  Was  Texar  an  author  or  accomplice  in  these 
crimes  ?  Suspicions  were  strong,  but  as  there  was  no 
proof,  nothing  could  be  done. 

At  last  an  opportunity  offered  which  seemed  to  bring 
this  hitherto  unseizable  malefactor  within  reach  of  the 
law;  and  this  was  the  affair  for  which  he  had  the  day 
before  been  brought  before  the  court  of  St.  Augustine. 

Eight  days  before,  James  Burbank,  Carrol,  and  Stan- 
nard  were  returning  from  visiting  a  plantation  not  far 
from  Oamdless  Bay,  when  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing, as  night  was  falling,  they  heard  cries  of  distress. 
They  came  to  the  spot  whence  the  cries  proceeded,  and 
found  themselves  in  front  of  the  buildings  of  an  isolated 
farm.  The  buildings  were  on  fire.  The  farm  had  been 
previously  pillaged  by  half-a-dozen  men  who  had  just  dis- 
persed. The  authors  of  the  crime  were  not  îar  off.  Two 
of  them  could  be  seen  running  away  through  the  woods. 


44  texar's  revenge. 

James  Burbank  and  his  friends  courageously  started  in 
pursuit,  and  the  chase  took  them  towards  Camdless  Bay. 
It  was  in  vain.  The  incendiaries  escaped  in  the  woods. 
But  Burbank,  Carrol,  and  Stannard  had  recognized  one 
of  them.    It  was  the  Spaniard. 

And  more  than  this— and  corroborating .  th«  proof— at 
the  instant  this  indiyidual  had  disappeared  on  the  bound- 
ary of  Camdless  Bay,  Zermah,  who  was  passing,  had  been 
knopked  aside  by  him.  And  she,  like  the  others,  recog- 
nized him  as  Texar,  running  at  full  speed. 

It  is  easy  to  imagine  that  such  an  affair  would  make 
considerable  stir  in  the  county.  A  robbery,  followed  by 
incendiarism,  was  a  most  serious  crime  where  the  planta- 
tions were  spread  over  a  large  extent  of  country.  Bur- 
bank brought  a  formal  accusation  against  Texar,  and 
the  authorities  took  proceedings. 

The  Spaniard  was  brought  to  St.  Augustine  before  the 
Eecorder,  and  then,  when  confronted  by  the  witnesses, 
James  Burbank,  Walter  Stannard,  Edward  Carrol,  and 
Zermah,  was  unanimously  recognized  as  the  man  who 
was  running  away  from  the  fire.  There  could  be  no  mis- 
take as  far  as  they  were  concerned.  Texar  was  one  of 
the  authors  of  the  crime. 

The  Spaniard,  for  his  defence,  brought  a  number  of 
witnesses  to  St.  Augustine.  They  declared  that  on  the 
evening  in  question  they  were  with  Texar  at  Jacksonville, 
in  the  tienda  of  Torilla,  a  sufficiently  ill-famed  drinking- 
sh^.p  in  those  parts.  Texar  had  not  left  them  all  the 
evening.  And  that  there  could  be  no  mistake  about  this, 
at  the  very  time  the  crime  was  committed,  the  Spaniard 
had  had  a  dispute  with  one  of  them  which  had  ended  in 
blows  and  threats,  for  which  legal  proceedings  would 
probably  be  taken. 

At  this  evidence,  which  was  beyond  suspicion— for  some 
of  the  witnesses  were  strangers  to  Texar— the  magistrate 
at  St.  Augustine  could  only  close  the  inquiry  and  allow 
the  defendant  his  expenses.  ,   ,  , 

The  alibi  had  thus  been  once  more  fully  established  to 
the  advantage  of  this  strange  individual. 

It  was  after  this  affair,  and  in  company  with  his  wit- 
nesses, that  Texar  had  returned  to  St.  Augustine  on  the 
evening  of  the  7th  of  February.  We  have  seen  how  ho 
conducted  himself  on  board  the  Shannon  while  the  steamer 


BLACK  CEEEK, 


45 


iescended  the  river.  Then,  on  the  skiff  brought  to  meet 
him  by  Squambo,  he  had  regained  the  abandoned  block- 
house. 

Squambo  was  a  Seminole,  intelligent  and  crafty,  and 
had  become  the  confidant  of  Texar,  who  had  taken  him 
into  his  service  immediately  after  the  last  expedition  of 
the  Indians  with  which  his  name  had  been  mixed  up. 

The  Spaniard  had  resolved  to  avenge  himself  on  James 
Burbank  by  all  possible  means.  Amid  the  many  con- 
junctions that  the  war  daily  gave  rise  to,  if  Texar  could 
upset  the  authorities  of  Jacksonville  he  could  make  him- 
self formidable  to  Camdless  Bay.  James  Burbank  was  of 
such  energetic  and  determined  character  that  he  had  no 
fear  of  such  a  man,  but  Mrs.  Burbank  had  only  too  many 
reasons  to  tremble  for  her  husband  and  her  family. 

And  all  the  more  would  she  have  been  anxious  had  she 
known  that  Texar  suspected  Gilbert  Burbank  of  having 
joined  the  Northern  army.  How  had  he  learnt  this,  for 
the  departure  had  been  secret  ?    Probably  from  his  spies. 

If  Texar  thought  that  James  Burbank's  son  was  in  the 
Federal  ships  under  the  orders  of  Dupont,  would  he  not 
probably  devise  some  trap  for  the  young  lieutenant  ? 
Yes  !  And  if  he  could  entice  him  on  to  Floridan  terri^ 
tory  and  capture  him,  we  can  imagine  what  would  be  his 
fate  at  the  hands  of  these  southerners,  exasperated  at 
the  progress  of  the  Northern  arms. 

Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  when  this  story  begins. 
Such  was  the  position  of  the  Federals  on  the  maritime 
frontier  of  Florida,  of  the  Burbanks  in  Duval  county,  and 
of  Texar  not  only  at  Jacksonville  but  throughout  the  slave 
territorities.  If  the  Spaniard  could  gain  his  ends,  if  the 
authorities  could  be  replaced  by  his  partisans,  it  w(5uld  be 
easy  for  him  to  send  forth  on  Camdless  Bay  a  populace 
maddened  againsts  the  abolitionists. 

About  an  hour  after  Squambo  had  left  Texar,  he 
returned.  He  drew  his  skiff  to  the  bank,  entered  thd 
palisades,  and  mounted  the  steps  into  the  blockhouse. 

"  Is  it  done  ?"  asked  Texar. 

"  It  is  done,  master." 
And— nothing  ?" 

"Nothing." 


46 


texar's  revenge. 


CHAPTER  VL 

JACKSONVILLE. 

f'YES,  Zermah,  yes,  you  were  created  and  placed  in  the 
world  to  be  a  slave  !"  said  the  overseer,  mounting  his 
favourite  hobby.  "  Yes  !  a  slave,  and  never  to  be  a  free 
creature." 

^*  That  is  not  my  opinion,"  replied  Zermah  calmly, 
without  the  least  animation,  so  many  had  been  these  dis- 
cussions with  the  overseer- of  Oamdless  Bay. 

*'It  is  possible,  Zermah  !  Bat  in  any  case  you  will  in 
the  long  run  come  over  to  the  opinion  that  no  equality 
can  exist  between  the  whites  and  the  blacks." 

"  It  already  exists,  Mr.  Perry,  and  it  has  always  existed." 

"You  are  mistaken,  Zermah,  and  the  proof  is  that  the 
whites  are  ten  times,  twenty  times — what  am  I  talking 
about  ? — a  hundred  times  more  numerous  on  the  earth 
than  the  blacks." 

And  it  is  on  that  account  that  they  have  made  slaves 
of  them,"  answered  Zermah,  "they  had  the  strength  and 
they  abused  it.  But  if  the  blacks  had  been  in  the  major- 
ity, the  whites  would  have  been  the  slaves  !  Or  rather 
they, would  not,  for  the  blacks  would  have  shown  more 
justice,  and  certainly  less  craelty." 

Do  not  let  it  be  supposed  that  this  conversation  hin- 
dered Zermah  and  the  overseer  from  remaining  on  good 
terms  ^yith  each  other.  At  the  moment  they  had  nothing 
else  to  do  but  talk.  They  might, .perhaps,  have  chosen 
a  more  useful  subject  of  conversation,  and  they  doubtless 
would  have  done  so  had  it  not  been  for  the  overseer's 
mania  for  continually  discussing  the  slave  question. 

The  two  were  seated  in  the  stern  of  one  of  the  Oamdless 
Bay  boats,  worked  by  four  men  from  the  plantation. 
They  were  crossing  the  river,  taking  advantage  of  the 
ebbing  tide,  on  rheir  way  to  Jacksonville.  Tiie  overseer 
h;id  some  of  Mr.  Bnrbank's  business  matters  to  attend  to, 
and  Zermah  was  going  to  buy  a  few  things  for  little  Dy. 

It  was  the  }Oih  of  February.    Three  days  before  James 


JACKSONVILLE. 


47 


Burbank  had  returned  to  Castle  House,  and  le^fir  to 
Black  Creek  after  the  affair  at  St.  Augustine. 

The  day  before  Mr.  Stannard  had  heard  from  Camdless 
Bay,  about  the  last  letter  from  Gilbert.  The  news  did 
not  arrive  any  too  soon  for  Alice,  whose  life  had  been  one 
of  continual  anxiety  since  tlie  outbreak  of  the  war. 

The  boat  slipped  along  swiftly.  In  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  she  reached  Jacksonville.  The  overseer  had,  there- 
fore, little  time  to  develop  his  pet  theory,  but  he  made  the 
best  of  it, 

^'JSTo,  Zermah,"  said  he.  **No!  If  the  blacks  had 
been  in  the  majority,  it  would  have  made  no  difference. 
And  I  tell  you  this,  that  whatever  may  be  the  result  of 
the  war,  we  shall  certainly  go  back  to  slavery,  for  slaves 
are  necessary  to  work  the  plantations.^' 

*'Mr.  Burbank  does  not  think  so,  as  you  know,''  said 
Zermah. 

**I  know,  but  I  think  Mr.  Burbank  is  wrong  notwith- 
standing the  respect  I  have  for  him.  A  black  ought  to 
be  part  of  the  estate  in  the  same  way  as  the  animals  and 
implements.  If  a  horse  could  go  away  when  it  chose,  if  a 
plough  could  change  hands  when  it  pleased,  no  work 
would  be  possible.  Let  Mr.  Burbank  emancipate  his 
slaves,  and  you  will  see  what  will  become  of  Camdle«s 
Bay." 

"He  would  have  done  so  already,"  said  Zermah,  *'if 
circumstances  had  allowed  him  to  do  so.  And  would  you 
like  to  know  what  will  hap])en  when  the  emancipatio»  of 
the  slaves  is  proclaimed  at  Camdless  Bay  ?  Not  a  single 
black  will  leave  the  plantation,  and  nothing  will  be 
changed,  except  the  right  to  treat  them  as  beasts.  And, 
as  you  have  never  exercised  that  right,  Camdless  Bay 
will  remain  as  it  was."- 

*'Do  you  consider  you  have  converted  me  to  jour 
ideas  ?"  asked  the  overseer. 

''Not  in  the  least.    It  would  be  useless  to  do  so,  and 
for  a  very  simple  reason." 
What  is  that  ?" 

"  That  at  the  bottom  you  think  just  the  same  as  Mr. 
Burbank,  Mr.  Carrol,  Mr.  Stannard,  and  every  one  els© 
who  has  a  generous  heart  and  a  just  mind." 

"  Never,  Zermah,  never  !  And  I  even  affirm  that  what 
Î  say  i^  in  the  best  intei*ests  of  the  blacks,   If  you  leav§ 


48  texar's  revenge. 

them  to  themselves  they  will  perish,  and  the  race  will  soon 

"  I  k^iiow  nothing  about  that,  Mr.  Perry.  But  anyhow, 
better  the  race  should  disappear  than  be  condemned  to 
the  perpetual  degradation  of  slavery."     '  ^    .   .  , 

The  overseer  would  have  replied,  for  he  had  by  no 
means  reached  the  end  of  his  arguments;  but  the  sail 
was  taken  in  and  the  boat  ran  alongside  the  pier,  there  to 
await  the  return  of  Zermah  and  the  overseer,  who  landed 
at  once  and  set  off  about  their  business.  »  o- 

Jacksonville  is  situated  on  the  left  bank  of  the  bt. 
John's,  at  the  end  of  a  somewhat  low  plain,  surrounded 
by  an  horizon  of  magnificent  forests,  which  form  an  eyer- 
verdant  frame.  Fields  of  maize  and  sugar-cane  and  rice, 
particularly  by  the  river  side,  occupy  a  part  of  the  plain. 

Twelve  years  ago  Jacksonville  was  but  a  big  village, 
with  a  suburb,  where  the  black  population  lived  m  huts 
built  of  mud  and  reeds.  At  the  time  of  our  story  the 
village  was  becoming  a  town.  Its  houses  were  becoming 
more  comfortable,  its  streets  better  planned  and  better 
kept,  and  the  number  of  its  inhabitants  doubled.  And 
the  year  before  the  chief  town  of  Duval  county  had  gained 
considerably  by  being  united  by  railway  to  lallahasseq, 
which  is  the  capital  of  Florida. 

The  overseer  and  Zermah  noticed  that  there  was  a  good 
deal  of  excitement  in  the  town.  Some  hundreds  of  the 
inhabitants,  Southerners  of  American  birth,  and  mulattoes 
and  half-breeds  of  Spanish  origin,  were  waiting  for  the 
arrival  of  the  steamboat,  of  which  the  smoke  was  m  sight 
down  stream  over  a  low  point  of  the  St.  John  s.  Some 
even,  in  order  to  reach  the  vessel  more  quickly,  had  started 
towards  her  in  rowing-boats,  and  others  had  gone  off  in  a 
few  of  those  one-masted  dogger-boats  which  are  so  common 
at  Jacksonville.  ^        ,  ^ 

There  had  been  serious  news  from  the  war  the  evening 
before.  The  scheme  of  operations  hinted  at  in  (filbert 
Burbank's  letter  had  become  partly  known.  It  had  been 
ascertained  that  Commodore  Dupont's  flotilla  was  getting 
ready  for  sea,  and  that  General  Sherman  was  to  take  his 
troops  on  board.  Where  was  the  expedition  going  ? 
They  could  not  say  for  certain,  but  everything  pointed 
to  the  St.  John's  and  the  co^çt  of  Florid^  as  being  its 
Objectv 


4d 


When  the  steamer,  which  came  from  Feniandma,  had 
stopped  at  Jacksonville,  her  passengers  could  only  confirm 
that  news.  They  even  added  that  Commodore  Dupont 
would  probably  anchor  in  St.  Andrew's  Bay,  while  waiting 
for  a  favourable  moment  to  force  the  passes  at  Amelia 
Island  and  the  estuary  of  the  St.  John's. 

Immediately  the  mob  swarmed  up  into  the  town,  putting 
to  noisy  flight  the  flock  of  urubus  which  do  the  scaven- 
gering  of  the  streets.  Shouts  arose,  '*Down  with  the 
Northerners  !  Death  to  the  Northerners  !"  Such  were 
the  cries  that  Texar's  friends  started  to  further  excite  the 
already  excited  population.  The  crowd  gathered  in  f^ont 
of  the  court-house,  the  police-office,  and  the  episcopal 
church.  The  authorities  would  have  more  trouble  m 
quieting  the  outbreak,  particularly  as  Jacksonville,  as  we 
have  already  remarked,  was  divided  on  this  slave  question. 
And  in  times  of  trouble,  the  noisiest  and  the  hastiest 
make  the  law,  and  the  moderate  men  eventually  submit 
to  their  domination. 

Naturally  in  the  taverns  and  tien  das  the  shouts  were 
the  loudest.  There  it  was  that  the  plans  were  formed  for 
offering  an  indomitable  resistance  to  the  invasion. 

'*Let  us  send  the  militia  to- Fernandina,"  said  one. 

"Let  us  sink  some  ships  in  thè  channel  of  the  St. 
John's,"  said  another.  -        n  j. 

"  Let  us  run  up  some  earthworks  round  the  city,  and  get 
the  guns  for  them,"  said  another. 

"Let  us  send  for  help  by  the  railway  from  Fernandina 
to  Keys." 

"  Let  us  put  out  the  light  at  Pablo,  and  so  prevent  the 
enemy's  fleet  getting  in  at  night." 

"  Let  us  put  down  torpedoes  in  the  river." 

The  torpedo  was  almost  a  new  thing  in  the  American 
war,  and  although  they  were  not  too  well  acquainted  with 
the  way  to  manage  it,  they  were  evidently  longing  to 
use  it. 

"Above  all,"  said  one  of  the  most  excited  orators  at  the 
tienda  of  Torillo,  "we  should  send  to  gaol  all  the  North- 
erners in  the  town,  and  all  those  Southerners  who  think 

with  them."  ,   -,   .   -,  4. 

It  would  have  been  very  strange  if  somebody  had  not 
brought  forward  this  proposition,  the  ultima  ratio  of 
sectaries  everywhere.   And,  of  course,  it  was  received 


so 


With  cheers.  Luckily  for  the  honest  people  of  Jackson- 
ville the  magistrates  were  to  hesitate  some  time  before 
giving  in  to  this  popular  prayer. 

As  she  passed  through  the  streets,  Zermah  took  careful 
notice  of  what  was  going  on,  so  as  to  tell  her  master.  He 
would  be  seriously  affected  by  the  movement.  If  violent 
measures  were  taken,  such  measures  would  not  stop  at  the 
town.  They  would  extend  beyond  it  to  the  plantations 
in  the  county.  Oamdless  Bay  would  be  one  of  the  first 
to  bç  visited.  Hence  the  half-breed,  in  order  to  obtain 
more  precise  information,  called  at  Mr.  Stannard's  house 
a  little  way  out  of  the  town. 

_  This  was  a  charming,  comfortable  dwelling,  agreeably 
situated  in  a  sort  of  green  oasis  which  the  clearing-axe  had 
left  in  a  corner  of  the  plain.  Under  Alice's  care  the  inside 
as  well  as  the  outside  of  the  house  was  excellently  looked 
after. 

Zermah  was  received  with  great  cordiality.  At  first 
Alice  spoke  to  her  about  Gilbert's  letter,  and  Zermah  was 
able  to  tell  her  almost  his  very  words. 

Yes,"  said  Alice,  he  is  not  far  off  now.  But  under 
what  circumstances  will  he  come  back  to  Florida  ?  And 
what  dangers  may  there  not  be  for  him  before  the  expe- 
dition is  over  !" 

"Dangers,  Alice?"  said  Mr.  Stannard.  "Do  not  be 
nervous.  Gilbert  faced  greater  when  cruising  off  the 
coast  of  Georgia  and  in  that  Port  Eoyal  affair.  I  do  not 
think  Florida's  resistance  will  be  very  terrible  or  very 
long.  What  can  we  do  with  this  St.  John's,  which  will 
let  the  gunboats  into  the  very  heart  of  the  countrv  ?  All 
defence  seems  to  me  difficult,  if  not  impossible."  " 

"May  what  you  say  be  true,"  said  Alice,  "and  may 
heaven  grant  that  the  war  will  soon  be  over  !" 

"  It  will  only  end  by  wiping  out  the  South,"  replied  Mr. 
Stannard.  "  That  will  take  a  long  time,  I  am  afraid;  and 
Jefferson  Davis  and  his  Generals— Lee,  Johnston,  and 
Beauregard— will  hold  out  for  some  time  in  the  centre. 
The  Federals  will  not  have  an  easy  triumph  over  the  Con- 
federates. But  as  to  Florida,  that  can  easily  be  captured; 
unfortunately  its  possession  will  not  ensure  the  final 
victory.^' 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  Gilbert  will  not  be  imprudent/' 


JACKSONVILLE. 


51 


Said  Alice,  joining  her  hands.   "  If  he  yields  to  the  wish  to 
see  his  family  for  a  few  hours  when  he  is  so  near  thein — " 
And  seeing  you,  Miss  Alice,"  said  Zermah,  *'for  are 
you  not  already  one  of  the  family  ?" 
"Yes,  Zermah,  in  heart." 

"No,  Alice,  there  is  nothing  to  be  afraid  of,"  said  Mr. 
Stannard.  "  Gilbert  is  too  sensible  to  run  any  risk  when 
Commodore  Dupont  could  occupy  Florida  in  a  few  days; 
there  would  be  no  excuse  for  the  foolhardiness  of  coming 
here  until  the  Federals  are  masters." 

Particularly  now  that  people  are  more  than  ever  ready 
to  break  out  into  violence,"  answered  Zermah. 

The  town,  this  morning,"  said  Mr.  Stannard,  "is  in  a 
very  excited  state.  I  saw  who  are  the  ringleaders,  and  I 
heard  them.  Texar  is  with  them,  and  is  urging  them  on 
and  exciting  them.  The  scoundrels  will  end  by  raising 
the  lower  classes  not  only  against  the  magistrates,  but 
against  all  who  do  not  agree  with  them." 

"  Do  you  not  think,  Mr.  Stannard,"  said  Zermah,  "  that 
it  would  be  better  for  you  to  leave  Jacksonville^ — at  all 
events  for  a  short  time  ?  It  would  be  wisest  not  to  come 
back  till  after  the  coming  of  the  Federal  troops.  Mr. 
Burbank  told  me  to  tell  you  that  he  would  be  glad  to  see 
you  and  Miss  Alice  at  Castle  House." 

"Yes,  I  know,"  said  Mr.  Stannard.  "I  have  not  for- 
gotten Mr.  Burbank's  offer.  But  is  Castle  House  any 
safer  than  Jacksonville  ?  If  these  adventurers  become 
masters  here,  will  they  not  spread  over  the  country,  and 
will  the  plantations  escape  their  ravages  ?" 

"Mr.  Stannard,"  said  Zermah,  "it  seems  to  me  that  if, 
there  is  any  danger  it  would  be  better  to  be  together." 

"Zermah  is  right,  father.  It  would  be  better  for  us  all 
to  be  at  Camdless  Bay." 

"Certainly,  Alice,"  said  Mr.  Stannard.  "I  am  not 
going  to  refuse  Burbank^s  invitation;  but  I  don't  think 
the  danger  is  so  pressing.  Zermah  can  tell  our  friends 
that  it  will  take  me  a  few  days  more  to  put  things  in 
order,  and  then  we  will  avail  ourselves  of  the  hospitality 
of  Castle  House." 

"  And  when  Mr.  Gilbert  arrives,"  said  Zermah,  "  he 
will  at  least  find  there  all  he  loves." 

Leaving  Mr.  Stannard  and  his  daughter,  Zermah  made 


52 


texar's  revenge. 


her  way  through  the  crowds,  which  grew  more  and  more 
excited,  and  regained  the  pier,  where  the  overseer  was 
waiting  for  her.  They  got  into  the  boat,  and  Mr.  Perry 
resumed  the  usual  conversation  at  the  very  point  he  had 
left  it. 

In  saying  that  the  danger  was  not  imminent  Mr.  Stan- 
nard  was  mistaken.  Jacksonville  was  to  have  immediate 
experience  of  the  effects  of  the  war. 

The  Federal  Government  acted  th^ughout  with  much 
circumspection;  they  proceeded  step  by  step.  Two  years 
after  the  outbreak  of  hostilities,  Abraham  Lincolsi  had 
still  to  proclaim  the  abolition  of  slavery  throughout  the 
whole  territory.  Many  months  were  still  to  elapse  before 
the  president's  message  proposed  to  solve  the  slave  ques- 
tion by  gradually  buying  out  and  emancipating  the  blacks, 
before  the  vote  was  passed  of  $1,000,000,  with  the  author- 
ity, by  way  of  indemnity,  to  give  $300  for  every  slave 
freed.  If  some  of  the  Northern  generals  had  been 
authorized  to  suppress  slavery  in  the  counties  invaded  by 
their  armies,  they  had,  up  to  then,  disavowed  it.  Opinions 
were  not  unanimous  on  the  subject,  and  there  were  several 
Unionist  chiefs  reported  to  be  against  the  measure,  as 
being  neither  logical  nor  opportune. 

Meanwhile  the  war  dragged  on,  and  much  to  the  dis- 
advantage of  the  Confederates.  General  Price,  on  the 
13  th  of  February,  had  had  to  evacuate  Arkansas  with  his 
contingent  of  Missouri  militia. 

We  have  seen  that  Fort  Henry  was  captured  and 
occupied  by  the  Federals.  Now  they  were  attacking  Fort 
Donelson,  which  was  defended  by  powerful  artillery  and 
covered  by  three  miles  of  works,  embracing  the  little  town 
of  Dover.  Notwithstanding  the  cold  and  the  snow,  the 
fort,  attacked  on  the  land  by  the  15,000  men  under 
General  Grant  and  on  the  water  by  the  gunboats  of  Com- 
modore Foote,  surrendered  on  the  14th  of  February,  with 
an  entire  division  of  men  and  materials  of  war. 

This  was  a  serious  check  for  the  Confederates.  The 
effect  produced  by  the  defeat  was  immense.  As  an  imme- 
diate consequence  came  the  retreat  of  General  Johnston, 
who  had  to  abandon  the  important  town  of  Nashville  on 
the  Cumberland.  The  inhabitants  were  seized  with  panic, 
and  left  it  as  soon  as  he  had  gone,  and  a  few  days  afterwards 


JACKSONVILLE. 


53 


tlie  same  thing  happened  at  Columbus.  The  whole  State 
of  Kentucky  was  thus  in  Federal  hands. 

We  can  easily  imagine  with  what  feelings  of  anger  and 
ideas  of  revenge  these  events  were  received  in  Florida. 
The  authorities  were  powerless  to  arrest  the  agitation, 
which  spread  to  the  most  distant  villages  in  the  counties. 
The  danger  hourly  increased  for  those  who  did  not  share 
in  the  opinions  of  the  Southerners  and  join  in  the  plans 
of  resistance  against  the  Federal  troops.  At  Tallahassee 
and  St.  Augustine  there  were  troubles  which  were  easily 
put  down  ;  but  at  Jacksonville  the  rising  of  the  populace 
threatened  to  degenerate  into  acts  of  unqualified  violence. 

The  position  at  Oamdless  Bay  became  more  and  more 
disquieting.  With  his  men  so  thoroughly  devoted  to  him, 
James  Burbank  might  perhaps  hold  out  for  a  time, 
although  it  was  then  very  difficult  to  procure  arms  and 
ammunition  in  sufficient  quantities.  At  Jacksonville, 
Mr.  Stannard  was  in  great  danger  of  losing  his  house,  his 
daughter,  and  all  he  possessed.  James  Burbank,  knowing 
how  he  was  placed,  wrote  him  letter  after  letter.  He  sent 
many  messengers  asking  him  to  come  to  Castle  House 
without  delay.  There  he  would  be  in  comparative  safety, 
and  if  he  had  to  find  another  retreat,  if  he  had  to  take 
refuge  in  the  interior  until  the  Federals  had  quieted  the 
country  by  their  presence,  it  would  be  easier  for  him  to 
do  so. 

'Mr.  Stannard  at  last  resolved  to  leave  Jacksonville  and 
take  refuge  at  Camdless  Bay.  He  started  on  the  morning 
of  the  23rd,  with  as  much  secrecy  as  possible,  and  without 
informing  any  one  of  his  plans.  A  boat  waited  for  him 
at  a  little  creek  about  a  mile  up  the  St.  John's.  Alice 
and  he  reached  it  in  safety,  crossed  the  river,  and  landed 
at  the  Camdless  Bay  pier,  where  the  Burbanks  were 
waiting  for  them. 

It  is  easy  to  imagine  their  reception.  Was  not  Alice 
already  Mrs.  Burbank's  daughter  ?  Now  they  were  re- 
united. The  dark  days  that  were  coming  would  be  passed 
together  in  greater  safety  and  less  anxiety. 

It  was  indeed  time  to  leave  Jacksonville.  The  next 
day  Mr.  Stannard 's  house  was  attacked  by  a  lot  of 
scoundrels,  who  marked  their  violence  under  a  show  of 
local  patriotism.   The  authorities  had  great  diflaculty  in 


54 


ÏEXAe's  EEVEISTGE. 


saving  the  house  from  pillage,  and  in  protecting  some 
other  houses  belonging  to  honest  citizens  who  did  not 
share  in  the  opinions  of  the  mob.  Evidently  the  hour 
was  coming  when  the  magistrates  would  be  replaced  Uj 
the  chiefs  of  the  rioters,  who  were  doing  their  best  to  in- 
crease the  excitement. 

As  Mr.  Stannard  had  told  Zermah,  Texar  had  left  his 
unknown  retreat  and  was  in  Jacksonville  among  his 
habitual  companions,  who  had  been  recruited  from  the 
very  worst  of  the  population,  drawn  from  the  plantations 
up  the  river.  These  scoundrels  had  resolved  that  they 
would  have  their  way  in  the  towns  as  they  had  had  it  in 
the  country.  They  corresponded  with  their  adherents  in 
the  different  counties  of  Florida,  and  by  keeping  the 
question  of  slavery  well  to  the  front,  gained  in  numbers 
every  day.  In  a  short  time  at  Jacksonville,  as  at  St. 
Augustine,  the  vagabonds,  adventurers,  and  backwoods- 
men who  had  come  crowding  in,  would  become  the  masters 
and  have  the  military  and  civil  power  in  their  hands. 
The  militia  and  regular  troops  would  hasten  to  make 
common  cause  with  them,  as  has  often  happened  in  times 
of  trouble  when  violence  is  the  order  of  the  day. 

James  Burbank  was  fully  aware  of  what  was  passing. 
Many  of  his  confidential  agents,  on  whom  he  could  depend, 
kept  him  informed  of  what  was  taking  place  at  Jackson- 
ville. He  knew  that  Texar  had  reappeared  there,  and 
that  his  detestable  influence  had  extended  over  the  whole 
of  the  lower  population  which,  like  him,  was  of  Spanish 
origin.  Such  a  man  at  the  head  of  affairs  was  a  direct 
menace  to  Oamdless  Bay.  And  so  Burbank  was  making 
ready  for  either  resistance,  if  it  werè  possible,  or  retreat 
if  it  became  necessary  to  abandon  Castle  House  to'  fire 
and  pillage.  Above  all  things  to  provide  for  the  safety 
of  his  family  and  friends  was  his  first  and  constant  care. 

During  these  days  Zermah's  devotion  knew  no  bounds. 
At  all  hours  she  watched  the  boundaries  of  the  planta- 
tion, particularly  on  the  river  side.  A  few  slaves,  chosen 
from  among  the  most  intelligent  and  best,  lived  day  and 
night  at  posts  which  had  been  assigned  to  them.  Any 
attempt  against  the  estate  would  have  been  reported 
immediately.  The  Burbanks  would  not  be  taken  un- 
awares, without  having  time  to  take  refuge  in  Castle  House, 


•4".'  f s^nssissviir  's'CTs 

pressure  of  public  opinion  the  magirfrate^wei^  brought 
to  decide  on  a  measure  that  would  live  a  sort  of  Tt^»/ 
t,on^o^hesW, partisans,  whowS^^^^^^ 

Burbank  was  the  most  important  of  the  FJorida  TilantPr» 
That  was  all. 


CHAPTER  VIL 

BEFORE   THE  COURT, 

flash  îhi^t7eceded'r'''P  '■^'^'-ng- 
What  rreTh^v"'?"''^'     T'^^'^'-  a^hor  tiS" 

b^xpoS  *°  would^his  peS 


"You  shall  not  go,  James."   ,    .   ^,  - 
It  was  Mrs.  Burbank,  who  spoke  in  the  name  of  all. 
«  No,  Mr.  Burbank,"  said  Alice.     You  must  not  think 

^^"To'put  yVurself  in  the  power  of  such  people,"  added 

^  Bulbank  did  not  answer.  When  he  first  read  the  curt 
order  to  appear  he  had  become  so  angry  that  he  could 
scarcely  restrain  himself.  What  had  happened  to  make 
the  magistrates  so  daring  ?  Had  Texar's  companions  and 
partisans  found  their  way  into  0*^^  ?  Vhffwto 
cured  the  dismissal  of  the  authorities  who  had  hitherto 
acted  with  some  moderation  ?  No.  Overseer  Perry  ha^^ 
returned  in  the  afternoon  from  Jacksonville  and  brought 

^  Could  Tt  *  be  some  event  of  the  war  ?"  said  Mr.  Stan- 
nard  ;  some  advantage  gained  by  the  Southerners  which 
has  led  them  to  attack  us  ?"  i  Tf 

- 1  am  afraid  that  must  be  it,"  said  Edward  Carrol.  "  If 
the  North  has  experienced  some  check,  these  scoundrels 
will  fancy  they  are  no  more  in  danger  from  Oommo^ 
dore  Dupont,  and  are  capable  of  proceeding  to  any 

^^'^Thev  say  that  in  Texas,"  said  Mr.  Stannard,  the 
Federal  troops  have  had  to  retire  before  the  mihtia,  and 
re-cross  the  Rio  Grande,  after  a  severe  defeat  at  Valverde. 
At  least,  that  is  what  I  was  told  by  a  Jacksonville  man  i 
met  about  an  hour  ago."  -,    xi.      *  n  ^«  o« 

'^Evidently  that  is  what  has  made  these  fellows  so 
bold,"  said  Carrol.  .„  . 

Then  Sherman's  army  and  Dupont's  flotilla  will  not 
come  !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Burbank. 

"It  is  only  the  26th  of  February,"  said  Ahce,  and, 
according  to  Gilbert's  letter,  the  Federal  ships  will  not  be 
ready  for  sea  before  the  28th." 

"Then  vou  want  the  time  to  get  down  to  the  mouths 
of  the  St.  John's,"  added  Mr.  Stannard,  "  to  force  the 
passes,  clear  the  bar,  and  make  a  descent  on  Jacksonville. 
That  will  take  ten  days." 

"  Ten  days  !"  said  Alice.  .   ,  ,  • 

"  Ten  days  !"  added  Mrs.  Burbank.  "  And  before  then 
what  may  not  happen  to  us  ?" 


BEFORE  THE  COURT. 


51 


James  Burbank  took  no  part  in  the  conversation.  He 
was  thinking.  He  was  asking  himself  what  he  was  to  do. 
To  refuse  to  obey  was  to  see  the  whole  populace  of  Jack- 
sonville advance  on  Camdless  Bay  with  the  open  or  tacit 
approval  of  the  authorities.  How  great  would  then  be 
the  danger  to  his  family  !  Better  risk  his  own  safety  than 
theirs.  If  his  life  or  liberty  were  in  peril,  better  that  the 
peril  should  threaten  him  alone. 

Mrs.  Burbank  looked  at  hpr  husband  with  the  keenest 
anxiety.  She  felt  that  he  was  fighting  a  battle  with  him- 
self. She  hesitated  to  question  him.  Neither  Alice,  nor 
Stannard,  nor  Carrol  dare  ask  him  what  his  answer  was 
to  be.  It  was  little  Dy  who,  unconsciously,  no  doubt, 
made  herself  the  mouthpiece  of  the  family.  She  had  gone 
near  her  father,  who  took  her  on  his  knee. 

"Father  !"  said  she. 

"What  is  it,  dear?" 

"  Are  you  going  to  those  wicked  people  who  want  to  do 
you  such  harm  ?" 

*'Yes.    I  will  go." 

"  James  !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Burbank. 

"  I  must  ;  it  is  my  duty.    I  will  go  !" 

James  Burbank  had  spoken  so  resolutely  that  it  was 
useless  ta  say  anything  against  his  determination.  He 
had  evidently  thought  over  all  the  consequences.  His 
wife  went  and  sat  beside  him,  and  put  her  arms  round 
him,  but  she  said  nothing.    And  what  could  she  say? 

"My  friends,"  said  Burbank,  "it  is  possible  that  we 
are  exaggerating  the  importance  of  this  arbitrary  act. 
What  can  they  say  against  me?  Nothing,  as  they  know 
well.  Accuse  me  of  my  opinions?  My  opinions  are  my 
own.  I  have  never  hidden  them  from  my  adversaries  ; 
and,  as  long  as  I  live,  I  shall  not  hesitate  to  proclaim 
them  to  their  face." 

"  We  will  go  with  you,  James!*'  said  Carrol. 

"  Yes,"  added  Stannard.  "  We  will  not  let  you  go  to 
Jacksonville  alone." 

"No,  my  friends,"  answered  Burbank.  "To  me  alone 
comes  the  order  to  appear  before  the  magistrates,  and  I 
alone  will  go.  I  may  be  kept  there  for  some  days.  It  is, 
therefore,  better  that  you  stay  at  Camdless  Bay.  To  yon 
I  entrust  my  family  during  my  absence*" 


58 


texar's  revenge. 


"  And  you  are  really  going?"  said  Dy. 

"  Yes,  my  little  daughter,"  said  Burbank  playfully  ; 
^*but  if  I  do  not  lunch  with  you  to-morrow  I  will  come 
back  to  dinner,  and  we'll  pass  the  evening  together.  Now, 
tell  me  if,  while  I  am  in  Jacksonville,  there  is  anything  I 
can  buy  you?  What  can  I  do  to  please  you?  What  shall 
I  bring  you?" 

Bring  yourself,  father,"  said  the  child  ;  and  at  this 
expression  of  what  all  felt,  the  family  separated,  after 
Burbank  had  taken  such  measures  of  security  as  the  occa- 
sion required. 

The  night  passed  without  an  alarm.  In  the  morning 
Burbank  was  awake  with  the  dawn,  and  was  soon  on  his 
way  doWn  the  avenue  of  bamboos  leading  to  the  pier. 
There  he  gave  orders  for  a  boat  to  be  ready  at  eight  o^clock 
to  take  him  across  the  river. 

As  he  returned  to  Oastle  House  from  the  pier  he  was 
met  by  Zermah. 

Master,"  she  said,  '^your  mind  is  made  up?  You  are 
going  to  Jacksonville?" 

Yes,  Zermah,  and  in  the  interest  of  all.  You  under- 
stand, do  you  not?" 

Yes,  master.  A  refusal  on  your  part  would  bring 
Texar's  mob  on  Camdless  Bay." 

And  that  is  a  serious  danger  which  must  be  avoided 
at  all  cost,"  said  Burbank. 

"  Do  you  wish  me  to  go  with  you?" 
"  On  the  contrary,  I  wish  you  to  remain  on  the  planta- 
tion.   It  is  necessary  that  you  should  be  near  my  wife, 
near  my  child,  in  case  any  danger  should  threaten  them 
before  my  return." 

I  will  not  leave  them." 

You  have  no  news?" 

No  !  It  is  true,  however,  that  suspicious  characters 
are  prowling  around  the  plantation.  They  have  been 
watched.  Last  night  two  or  three  boats  crossed  the  river. 
Do  they  think  that  Mr.  Gilbert  is  with  the  Federals  under 
Commodore  Dupont,  and  is  coming  secretly  to  Camdless 
Bay?" 

"My  brave  boy!"  said  Burbank.    "No!  he  is  too 
sensible  to  be  so  rash." 
"  I  am  afraid  ïexar  ba?  some  suspicion  on  the  subject, 


BEFORE  THE  COURT.  59 

They  tell  me  his  influence  gets  greater  every  day.  When 
you  are  at  Jacksonville  beware  of  Texar,  mastei*— " 

"  Yes,  Zermah,  as  of  a  poisonous,  reptile  !  But  I  am 
on  my  guard.  While  I  am  away,  if  he  makes  any  attempt 
against  Castle  House—"  ^ 
Never  fear,  master,  for  yourself  •  and  never  fear  for 
us.  Your  slaves  will  defend  the  plantation,  and,  if  neces- 
^ry,  will  die  to  the  last  man.  They  are  devoted  to  you. 
ihey  love  you.  I  know  what  they  think,  what  they  say. 
what  they  will  do.  There  have  been  people  here  from  other 
plantations  to  raise  them  against  you,  but  they  will  not 
listen  to  them.  They  are  all  one  family  with  yours,  and 
you  can  depend  upon  them." 

"I  know  it,  Zermah,  and  I  trust  to  them." 
Burbank  returned  to  the  house.  The  moment  came  ; 
he  bid  tarewell  to  his  wife,  his  daughter,  and  Alice  He 
promised  them  to  do  nothing  to  provoke  the  magistrates 
to  violence.  He  would  be  sure  to  come  back  that  niffht. 
He  bid  everybody  good-bye  and  left  them.  Certainly 
James  Burbank  had  much  to  fear  for  himself  :  but  there 
was  much  to  be  feared  for  those  he  left  at  Castle  House 
btannard  and  Carrol  went  with  him  to  the  landing-place 
at  the  end  of  the  avenue.  There  he  gave  them  his  last 
instructions  ;  and  with  a  beautiful  breeze  from  the  south- 
west, the  boat  rapidly  left  the  pier  of  Camdless  Bay 

An  hour  afterwards,  about  ten  o'clock,  Burbank  landed 
at  Jacksonville.  The  quay  was  then  deserted.  There 
were  only  a  few  sailors  discharging  the  cargoes  of  the 
dogger-boats.  He  was  not  recognized;  his  arrival  was 
not  announced  at  all,  and  he  was  able  to  cross  to  the 
end  0Ï  the  harbour  and  call  on  one  of  his  friends  Mr 
Harvey.  ' 

Mr.  Harvey  was  much  surprised  and  uneasy  at  seeing 
him.  He  had  not  thought  that  he  would  have  obeyed  thi 
order  to  present  himself  at  the  court.  In  the  town  it  was 
not  thought  that  he  would.  As  to  who  had  been  the  cause 
of  the  order  being  given,  Mr.  Harvey  did  not  know.  Prob- 
ably, with  a  view  to  satisfy  public  opinion,  the  magistrates 
were  going  to  ask  him  to  explain  his  conduct  since  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  particularly  with  regard  to  his 
slaves.  Perhaps  they  were  going  to  keep  the  richest 
-tederal  farmer  m  Florida  as  a  hostage.    Would  it  not 


go  texab's  eevengk. 

have  been  better  to  have  stopped  at  Camdless  Bay  ?  So 
thought  Mr.  Harvey.  Could  he  not  go  back  as  nobody 
knew  he  had  come  ?  .  „ 

Burbank  had  not  oorae  merely  to  go  back  agam  ^e 
wished  to  know  what  it  was  all  about,  and  he  would  know 

Some  very  interesting  questions  as  to  the  state  of  affairs 
generally  were  then  put  by  him  to  his  corresponde' 
^  Had  the  authorities  been  replaced  by  the  ringleaders  of 

%Xyet,  but  their  position  had  become  precarious. 

Had  the  Spaniard  Texar  any  hand  m  the  popular  move- 
ment that  was  about  to  take  place  ?  , 

Yes.  He  was  looked  upon  as  the  leader  of  the  ad- 
vanced slave-holding  party  in  Florida.  He  and  his  com- 
panions would  probably  soon  be  masters  of  the  town. 

Had  the  last  news  from  the  war  been  confirmed  ? 

Tt  had  been.  The  organization  of  the  Southern  btates 
had  just  been  complete!.  On  the  32nd  of  February  the 
Government  had  been  definitely  formed,  with  Jefierson 
Davis  as  President  and  Stephens  as  Vice-President,  and 
they  had  been  invested  with  power  for  six  years.  Con- 
gress, composed  of  two  houses  had  assembled  at  Eich- 
mond.  Jefferson  Davis,  three  days  before  had  asked  for 
Smpnlsory  service.  Since  then  the  Confederates  had  had 
a  few  successes  of  no  great  importance  On  the  34th,  an 
important  detachment  of  McOlellan's  had  crossed  the 
Upper  Potomac,  and  the  Southerners  had  consequently 
evacuated  Columbus.  A  great  batt  e  was  imminent  on 
the  Mississippi  between  them  and  the  army  of  General 

*^  And  how  about  the  squadron  that  Dupont  was  to  bring 
tothemouths  of  the  St.  John's? 

Rumours  were  afloat  that  in  ten  days  it  would  attempt 
to  force  the  passes.  If  Texar  and  his  Partisans  were 
meditating  an  outbreak  to  get  the  town  into  their  hands, 

no  time  was  to  be  lost.  ,  -,  i       -ii  .  „„;i  w>.f. 

Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  at  Jacksonville;  and  who 
could  tell  if  the  Burbank  incident  would  not  hasten  tne 

"^Whe'ï'thè  time  came  for  him  to  appear  James  Bur- 
bank left  his  friend's  house  and  ^^^l^ed  to  the  Courts  of 
Justice,   There  was  much  excitement  m  the  streets. 


BEFORE  THE  COUEar. 


61 


The  people  were  crowding  towards  the  courts.  It  seemed 
as  though  the  case,  though  it  might  be  of  little  impor- 
tance in  itself,  would  bring  about  a  rising  that  might  have 
deplorable  consequences. 

The  square  was  full  of  people,  mostly  of  the  poorer 
whites,  half-breeds,  and  negroes.  Naturally  they  were 
noisy.  If  those  who  could  obtain  admission  to  the  court 
we  fu^,  a  good  many  of  Texar's  partisans  would  never- 
theless -be  there.  With  them  would  be  a  sprinkling  of 
law-abiding  citizens  oppose  to  such  an  act  of  injustice,  bu 
it  would  be  difficult  for  them  to  withstand  the  party  benl 
on  removing  the  authorities  of  Jacksonville. 

As  soon  as  Burbank  appeared  in  the  square  he  was  rec- 
ognized. A  loud  shouting  arose;  and  it  was  not  in  his 
favour.  ^  A  few  courageous  citizens  surrounded  him,  hav- 
ing no  intention  that  an  honourable  and  much-respected 
man  should  be  exposed  to  the  brutalities  of  the  mob.  In 
obeying  the  summons  he  had  received  Burbank  had 
shown  his  dignity  and  decision  of  character,  and  his  doing 
so  was  worthy  of  recognition.  He  was  therefore  able  to 
make  his  way  across  the  square.  He  reached  the  door  of 
the  court,  entered,  and  stopped  at  the  bar  to  which  he 
had  been  so  unjustly  summoned. 

The  chief  magistrate  of  the  town  and  his  assistants 
were  already  on  the  bench.  They  were  moderate,  reason- 
able men.  The  menaces  and  recriminations  to  which 
they  had  been  subject  ever  since  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
may  be  imagined.  To  remain  at  their  posts  required  no 
little  courage  and  energy.  It  was  only  because  the  slave 
question  caused  less  excitement  in  Florida  than  in  the 
other  states  of  the  South  that  they  had  been  able  to  with- 
stand the  attacks  of  the  turbulent  party.  Secessionist 
ideas  were,  however,  making  way;  and  with  them  the  in- 
fluence of  the  lower  classes  and  adventurous  vagabonds 
daily  increased;  and  it  was  to  satisfy  public  opinion,  to  a 
certain  extent  under  the  pressure  of  the  more  violent 
agitators,  that  the  magistrates  had  decided  to  summon 
James  Burbank,  on  information  given  by  one  of  their 
leaders— the  Spaniard  Texar. 

The  murmur— of  approbation  from  one  side,  of  disap- 
probation from  another— which  greeted  the  proprietor  of 
Camdless  Bay  as  he  entered  the  court  soon  subsided. 


62 


texae's  revenge. 


Erect,  with  the  dauntless  look  of  a  man  that  had  never 
failed,  he  did  not  even  wait  for  the  magistrate  to  ask  him 
the  usual  questions,  but  in  a  firm  voice  he  said,- — 

"  You  asked  for  James  Burbank.  James  Burbank  is 
before  you/' 

After  the  first  formalities,  to  which  Burbank  answered 
very  briefly,  he  said,     Of  what  am  I  accused  ?" 

"Of  opposing  by  word,  and  probably  by  deed,  such 
ideas  and  hopes  as  are  now  held  by  the  majority  in 
Florida/' 

"  And  who  is  my  accuser  ?" 

"  I  am.  " 

It  was  Texar.  Burbank  recognized  his  voice.  He  did 
not  even  turn  his  head;  he  contented  himself  with 
shrugging  his  shoulders  in  token  of  his  contempt  for  his 
accuser. 

On  the  other  hand,  Texar's  partisans  encouraged  their 
leader  by  voice  and  gesture. 

And  in  the  first  place,"  said  he,  "I  tell  James  Bur- 
bank to  his  face  that  he  is  a  Northerner  !  His  presence 
at  Jacksonville,  in  a  Confederate  State,  is  a  standing  in- 
sult. He  is  a  Northerner  at  heart  and  by  birth;  why  has 
he  not  gone  back  to  the  North  ?" 

"  I  am  in  Florida,"  replied  Burbank,  "because  it  suits 
me  to  be  there.  I  have  lived  in  the  county  for  twenty 
years.  If  I  was  not  born  in  it  you  know  at  least  where  I 
came  from  ;  and  that  is  more  than  you  can  say  for  those 
whose  past  is  unknown,  and  who  live  not  in  the  light  of 
day,  and  whose  private  life  ought  to  be  inquired  into 
much  more  than  mine." 

Although  this  was  a  direct  attack  on  Texar,  he  made 
no  sign. 

"  What  next  ?"  asked  Burbank. 

"Next,"  said  the  Spaniard,  "when  the  country  h?is 
risen  for  the  maintenance  of  slavery,  and  is  ready  to  shed 
its  blood  to  repulse  the  Federal  troops,  I  accuse  James 
Burbank  of  being  an  anti-slavery  man,  and  the  head  of  an 
anti-slavery  propaganda." 

"  James  Burbank,"  said  the  magistrate,  "  in  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  we  are  placed,  you  will  understand 
that  this  charge  is  of  exceptional  gravity.  I  shall  be  gla<? 
to  have  your  answer." 


BEFORE  THE  COUET. 


63 


"  Sir/'  said  Burbank,  my  answer  is  very  simple.  I 
have  assisted  in  no  propaganda,  nor  do  I  intend  doing  so. 
The  charge  is  false.  As  to  my  opinions  on  slavery,  if  I 
am  permitted  to  refer  to  them  here,  I  may  say  that  I  am 
an  abolitionist!  I  deplore  the  strife  that  is  raging  between 
the  South  and  the  North.  I  am  afraid  that  the  South  is 
marching  to  inevitable  disaster,  and  it  is  in  her  own.  in- 
terest that  I  wish  to  see  her  on  another  road  instead  of 
engaging  in  a  war  against  common  sense.  You  will  re- 
member some  day  that  those  who  spoke  to  you  as  I  am 
speaking  were  in  the  right.  When  the  time  has  come  for 
a  change,  for  a  step  in  moral  progress,  it  is  fooiit^h  to 
withstand  it.  The  separation  of  the  North  from  the 
South  would  be  a  crime  against  the  American  country. 
Neither  reason,  nor  justice,  nor  force  is  on  your  side,  and 
the  crime  will  never  be  accomplished." 

These  words  were  received  with  a  few  shouts  of  ap- 
proval, speedily  drowned  in  more  noisy  demonstrations. 
The  majority  were  not  prepared  to  accept  them. 

When  the  magistrate  had  obtained  silence  in  the  court 
James  Burbank  continued: — 

"And  now,"  said  he,  "I  am  ready  for  more  precise 
charges,  as  to  facts,  be  it  understood,  and  I  will  reply  to 
them  when  you  tell  me  what  they  are." 

The  magistrates  were  much  embarrassed  by  this  digni- 
fied bearing.  They  knew  of  no  fact  that  could  be  charged 
against  Mr.  Bnrbank.  Their  object  had  been  to  let  the 
charges  be  made  and  let  them  be  proved,  if  proofs  existed. 

Texar  saw  that  he  must  explain  in  greater  detail  or  he 
would  fail. 

Be  it  so,"  said  he.  But  it  is  not  my  notion  of  what 
is  best  to  invoke  freedom  of  opinion  on  the  slav^  question 
when  the  country  has  risen  in  support  of  the  cause.  But 
if  James  Bnrbank  has  the  right  to  think  as  he  likes  on 
the  subject— if  it  is  true  that  he  abstains  from  making 
converts  to  his  ideas,  at  least  he  might  abstain  from  corre- 
sponding with  the  enemy  at  the  gates  of  Florida." 

This  accusation  of  complicity  with  the  Federals  was  a 
very  serious  one  at  that  time,  and  hence  the  thrill  of  ex- 
citement that  ran  through  the  audience.  It  was,  how- 
ever, still  vague,  and  had  to  be  proved. 

"  You  pretend  that  I  correspond  with  the  enemy  V 


64 


texar's  revenge. 


"  Yes,"  said  Texar. 
Prove  it.    I  should  like  you  to." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Texar.  About  three  weeks  ago  a 
messenger  to  James  Burbank  left  the  Federal  army,  or 
rather,  the  flotilla  of  Commodore  Dupont.  The  man 
came  to  Oamdless  Bay,  and  he  was  followed  from  the  time 
he  left  the  plantation  till  he  re-crossed  the  frontier.  Do 
you  deny  that?" 

Evidently  this  was  the  messenger  who  had  brought  the 
young  lieutenant's  letter.  Texar's  spies  had  not  been 
deceived.  This  time  the  charge  was  definite,  and  Bur- 
bank's  reply  was  anxiously  waited  for. 

He  did  not  hesitate  to  tell  them  what  was  only  the 
truth. 

Yes,"  said  he,  "  a  man  did  come  about  that  time  to 
Oamdless  Bay,  but  the  man  was  only  a  messenger.  He 
did  not  belong  to  the  Federal  army,  and  he  simply  brought 
a  letter  from  my  son — " 

**From  your  son,^'  interrupted  Texar;  "from  your 
son,  who,  if  we  are  correctly  informed,  is  in  the  Unionist 
service,  who  is,  perhaps,  in  the  van  of  the  invaders  now 
on  the  march  to  Florida." 

The  vehemence  with  which  Texar  pronounced  these 
words  made  a  strong  impression  on  the  people  in  the 
court.  If  James  Burbank,  after  admitting  that  he  had 
received  a  letter  from  his  son,  admitted  that  Gilbert  was 
in  the  Federal  army,  how  could  he  get  over  the  charge  of 
being  in  communication  with  the  enemies  of  the  South? 

"Will  you  reply  to  the  evidence  against  your  son?" 
asked  the  magistrate. 

"  No,  sir,"  replied  Burbank,  I  have  nothing  to  say  in 
the  matter.  There  is  no  charge  against  my  son  that  I 
know  of.  I  alone  am  accused  of  holding  communication 
with  the  Federal  army,  and  I  deny  it,  and  I  defy  this  man 
who  attacks  me  on  account  of  his  own  personal  hatred 
towards  me  to  bring  forward  a  single  proof." 

He  admits,  then,  that  his  son  is  now  fighting  against 
the  Confederates  !"  exclaimed  Texar. 

**  I  admit  nothing,"  said  Burbank.  "  It  is  for  you  to 
prove  the  charge  you  bring  against  me." 

"  Good  Î  I  will  prove  it,"  replied  Texar.  "  In  a  few 
days  I  shall  be  in  possession  of  the  proof  you  ask,  and 
wli«H  I  have  it — 


ÊEP^OliBÎ  TSE  ÔOUBT. 


65 


"When  you  have  it/'  replied  the  magistrate,  *^we  can 
take  it  into  consideration.    Until  then,  I  do  not  see  what 
charges  Mr.  Burbank  has  to  answer." 
In  deciding  in  this  way  the  magistrate  acted  like  an 


he  was  wrong  to  be  right  with  a  public  so  prejudiced 
against  the  planter  of  Camdless  Bay.  And  then  followed 
an  ominous  murmuring,  and  even  protesting  on  the  part 
of  Texar's  companions.  The  Spaniard  saw  how  things 
were  going,  and  abandoning  the  charges  against  Gilbert 
Burbank,  returned  to  those  against  his  father. 

Yes,"  he  said,  I  will  prove  all  that  I  have  advanced 
with  regard  to  James  Burbank's  being  in  communication 
with  the  enemy  preparing  to  invade  Florida.  Meanwhile 
the  opinions. he  publicly  professes — opinions  so  dangerous 
for  the  cause  of  slavery — constitute  a  public  danger;  and, 
in  the  name  of  all  the  slaveholders  who  will  not  submit  to 
the  yoke  of  the  North,  I  demand  that  he  be  secured." 

"  Yes  !  yes  !"  exclaimed  the  partisans  of  Texar,  while 
some  of  the  audience  endeavoured  in  vain  to  protest 
against  the  unjustifiable  proposal. 

The  magistrate  succeeded  in  quieting  the  assembly,  and 
then  Burbank  replied, — 

"  I  îshall  do  all  that  my  strength  and  my  rights  allow 
me  to  oppose  such  tyranny.  I  am  an  abolitionist.  And 
I  have  already  told  you  so.  But  opinion  is  free,  I  sup- 
pose, in  a  system  of  government  founded  on  freedom. 
Up  to  now  it  has  not  been  a  crime  to  be  an  anti-slavery 
man,  and  as  I  am  not  a  criminal  the  law  is  powerless  to 
punish  me." 

Renewed  shouts  of  approval  seemed  to  show  that  Bur- 
bank was  getting  the  best  of  it.  Texar  saw  xhat  the  time 
had  come  to  change  his  batteries.  We  need  not,  there- 
fore, be  surprised  when  he  hurled  at  Burbank  the  follow- 
ing unexpected  challenge: — 

Well,  if  you  do  not  believe  in  slavery,  why  do  you  not 
free  your  own  slaves  ?" 

"  1  will  do  so,"  answered  James  Burbank.  I  will  do 
so  as  soon  as  the  time  comes." 

"  Indeed  !  That  means  you  will  do  so  when  the  Fed- 
eral army  is  in  possession  of  Florida.  You  want  Sher- 
man's soldiers  and  Dupont's  sailors  to  give  you  courage 


honest  man.    He  was 


unfortunately 


66 


texa-r's  revkngè. 


to  act  up  to  your  ideas  !  That  is  prudent,  but  it  is  cow- 
ardly." 

"  Cowardly  !"  exclaimed  Burbank  indignantly,  and  not 
seeing  the  snare  spread  for  him. 

"Yes  cowardly,"  said  Texar.  ^'You  dare  not  put 
your  ideas  into  practice  !  You  only  want  to  curry  })opa- 
larity  with  the  Northerners!  You  are  an  abolitioiiisr, 
only  for  appearance,  sake;  at  heart  you  are  a  slavery  man." 

James  Burbank  drew  himself  up.  He  gave  his  oppo- 
nent a  long  look  of  scorn.  Such  hypocrisy  was  mani- 
festly absurdly  out  of  keeping  with  his  frank,  loyal  exist- 
ence. In  a  clear,  decided  tone,  that  could  be  heard  by 
all,  he  said: — 

"Inhabitants  of  Jacksonville,  from  this  day  forth  I 
shall  not  keep  a  slave.  This  very  day  I  proclaim  the 
abolition  of  slavery  over  the  whole  plantation  of  Camdless 
Bay." 

At  first  this  bold  declaration  was  greeted  with  cheers. 
It  had  required  true  courage  to  do  such  a  thing — courage 
more  than  prudence  perhaps.  Burbank  had  allowed  his 
indignation  to  get  the  better  of  him. 

It  was  evident  that  his  action  would  compromise  the 
interests  of  the  other  Florida  planters,  and  at  once  a  re- 
action took  place  in  the  court.  The  applause  was  silenced 
by  the  vociferations  not  bnly  of  those  who  were  slave- 
liolders  on  principle,  but  of  those  who  till  then  had  been 
indifferent  6n  the  slavery  question. 
^  And  Texar's  friends  would  have  profited  by  this  reac- 
tion to  commit  some  act  of  violence  on  James  Burbank  if 
the  Spaniard  himself  had  not  restrained  them. 

"  Leave  him  alone,"  said  he.  "  Burbank  has  disarmed 
himself.    Now  he  is  ours  !" 

His  meaning  was  immediately  understood,  and  his  pji;- 
tisans  refrained  from  any  act  of  violence.  He  even  felt  no 
misgivings  when  the  magistrates  told  Burbank  he  might 
go — there  was  no  proof  to  warrant  his  incarceration.  If  the 
Spaniard  could  make  good  his  words  later  on,  and  produce 
witnesses  to  show  that  Burbank  was  in  communication 
with  the  enemy,  the  magistrates  could  take  action.  Until 
then  Burbank  was  free. 

True,  the  declaration  of  enfranchisement  relative  to 
Camdless  Bay  was  made  publicly,  and  might  eventually 


THÏJ  LASÏ  SLAVE. 


67 


eei-ve  as  a  pretence  on  the  part  of  the  mob  for  proceedings 
against  the  authorities  of  the  town.  t 

As  he  left  the  court  Burbank  was  followed  by  a  dis- 
orderly crowd  very  evilly  disposed  towards  him,  but  the 
police  kept  them  from  assaulting  him.  There  were 
shouts  and  threats,  but  no  acts  of  violence.  Evidently 
Texar'^  influence  protected  him. 

He  reached  'the  quay,  where  his  boat  was  waiting. 
There  he  took  leave  of  his  friend  Mr.  Harvey;  and  then, 
pushing  off,  he  was  soon  out  of  range  of  the  vociferations 
with  which  the  rabble  of  Jacksonville  saluted  him  as  he 
left  them. 

As  the  tide  was  going  down,  the  boat  took  at  least  two 
hours  to  get  across  to  Camdless  Bay,  where  the  family 
were  waiting  for  him.  Great  was  their  joy  when  they 
saw  him  coming  back.  Many  reasons  had  they  had  for 
fearing  he  would  be  kept  away  from  them. 

"No,"  said  he  to  little  Dy  as  he  kissed  her;  " I  prom- 
ised to  come  home  to  dinner,  my  dear,  and  you  know  I 
never  brèak  my  promises." 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

THE   LAST  SLAVE. 

That  evening  James  Burbank  told  his  people  what  had 
happened  at  the  court.  Texar's  hateful  conduct  was  re- 
vealed. It  was  at  his  instigation  that  the  summons  had 
been  sent  to  Camdless  Bay.  The  conduct  of  the  magis- 
trates had  been  worthy  of  praise.  When  the  charge  of 
communicating  with  the  Federals  had  been  made  they  had 
asked  for  the  proof,  and  as  the  proof  was  not  forthcoming 
jBurbank  was  set  at  liberty. 

With  these  vague  charges  Gilbert's  name  had  been 
mixed  up.  There  could  not  be  much  doubt  that  the 
young  man  was  with  the  Northern  army.  Was  not  J ames 
Burbank's  refusal  a  half -admission  that  the  assertion  was 
true  ?   And  consequently  great  was  the  fear  and  anxiety 


6g 


on  the  part  of  Mrs.  Burbank,  and  Alice,  and  all  the  family. 
If  the  son  could  not  be  got  at  would  not  the  rabble  of 
Jacksonville  take  vengeance  on  his  father  ?  Texar  had 
boasted  that  in  a  few  days  he  would  produce  his  proof; 
and  it  was  not  impossible  that  he  could  do  so.  What 
would  have  to  be  done  then  ? 

Poor  Gilbert/'  said  Mrs.  Burbank,  to  know  he  is  so 
near  to  Texar,  who  will  stop  at  nothing  to  attain  his 
end.''  ^ 

"Could  we  not  let  him  know  what  is  happening  at 
Jacksonville  ?"  asked  Alice. 

"  Yes,"  said  Mr.  Stannard,  "we  might  let  him  know 
that  the  slightest  imprudence  on  his  part  will  have  the 
most  deplorable  consequences  for  his  and  him." 

"And  how  are  you  to  let  him  know?"  asked  James 
Burbank.  "There  are  spies  all  round  the  plantation; 
there  can  be  no  doubt  of  that.  The  messenger  Gilbert 
sent  was  watched  back  to  the  frontier.  Every  letter  we 
write  may  fall  into  Texar's  hands.  Ef^y  man  we  send 
with  a  verbal  message  may  be  arrested  on  the  road.  ISTo, 
my  friends,  do  not  try  to  make  matters  worse.  May 
heaven  send  the  Federals  into  Florida  without  delay  ! 
It  is  time  they  came  now;  the  minority  of  honest  people 
is  threatened  by  the  scoundrels  of  the  country." 

J ames  Burbank  was  right.  Owing  to  the  watch  kept 
round  the  plantation  it  would  be  very  imprudent  to  hold 
any  communication  with  Gilbert.  And  the  time  was  ap- 
proaching when  he  and  his  people  would  be  in  safety  under 
the  protection  of  the  Federal  army. 

In  fact,  it  was  the  very  next  morning  that  Commodore 
Dupont  was  to  start  from  his  anchorage  at  Edi&to.  In 
three  days  his  flotilla  would  have  dropped  down  the 
Georgia  coast  and  reached  St.  Andrew's  Bay. 

Then  James  Burbank  told  his  friends  of  the  very  serious 
matter  that  had  happened  before  the  magistrates;  how  he 
had  been  led  to  reply  to  Texar's  taunt  as  to  the  slaves  at 
Camdless  Bay.  Strong  in  his  right,  strong  in  his  con- 
science, he  had  publicly  declared  the  abolition  of  slavery 
on  his  estate.  This  was  what  no  Southern  state  had  yet 
allowed  to  be  proclaimed  without  having  been  obliged  by 
the  fortune  of  war.  He  had  done  it  entirely  of  his  own 
free  will. 


69 


The  declaration  was  as  bold  as  it  was  magnanimous. 
What  would  be  its  consequences  no  one  could  foresee. 
Evidently  it  would  not  make  Burbank's  position  less 
hazardous  in  this  slave-holding  country.  It  might,  per- 
haps, provoke  some  desire  of  revolt  among  the  slaves  on 
other  plantations.  That  did  not  matter  !  His  friends, 
excited  by  the  grandeur  of  the  action,  fully  approved  of 
what  Burbank  had  done. 

James,"  said  Mrs.  Burbank,  whatever  may  happen, 
you  did  quite  right  to  reply  in  that  way  to  Texar's  odious 
insinuations. 

(    "  We  are  proud  of  you,  father     said  Alice,  giving  Mr. 
Burbank  the  name  for  the  first  time. 

And  so,  my  dear  girl,''  said  James  Burbank,  "  when 
Gilbert  and  his  Federals  enter  Florida  they  will  not  find 
a  single  slave  at  Oamdless  Bay.'' 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Burbank,"  said  Zermah.  I  thank 
you  for  my  companions  and  myself.  As  far  as  I  am 
concerned  I  never  felt  I  was  a  slave.  Your  kindness  and 
generosity  have  always  made  me  seem  like  as  free  as  I  am 
to-day." 

''Quite  so,  Zermah,"  said  Mrs.  Burbank.  ''Slave  or 
free,  we  shall  love  you  none  the  less." 

Zermah  vainly  tried  to  hide  her  emotion.  She  took 
Dy  in  her  arms  and  clasped  her  to  her  bosom. 

Carrol  and  Stannard  cordially  shook  hands  with  Bur- 
bank to  show  how  they  applauded  his  deed  of  daring— and 
justice. 

Evidently  the  Burbank  family  in  their  generous  en-  * 
thusiasm  forgot  all  about  the  complications  to  which  the 
act  might  give  rise. 

No  one  at  Camdless  Bay  would  think  of  blaming  James 
Burbank,  unless  perhaps  Mr.  Perry,  the  overseer,  when 
he  heard  what  had  taken  place.  But  he  was  away  on  duty 
and  would  not  be  back  till  late  at  night. 

When  the  family  gathering  broke  up,  Mr.  Burbank  told 
them  that  next  morning  he  would  give  the  slaves  their 
liberty. 

"We  will  be  with  you,  James,"  said  Mrs.  Burbank, 
"  when  you  tell  them  they  are  free." 
"  Yes,  so  will  all  of  us."  said  Carrol. 
*'  And  me,  too  I"  said  little  Dy. 


"  Yes,  my  dear;  you  too."  . 
"Zermah/'  said  the  little  girl,  "  are  you  going  to  leave 
us  now 

m,  my  child  !"  said  Zermah.    "  No,  I  will  never 

^^Yn  fCmorning,  the  first  person  Mr.  Burbank  met  in  the 
private  warden  was  Perry  the  overseer.  As  the  secret  had 
been  kept,  he  had  heard  nothing  about  it.  He  soon 
heard  it  from  the  lips  of  his  master— much  to  his  amaze- 
ment. ^ 

Oh,  Mr.  James  !  oh,  Mr.  James  ! 
The  worthy  man  was  quite  astounded,  and  other  words 

failed  him.  .  „  ^ 

But  that  ought  not  to  surprise  you.  Perry,   said  Bur- 
bank       I  am  only  anticipating  matters.    You  know  that 
the  enfranchisement  of  the  blacks  is  an  act  imposed  on 
every  State  that  is  careful  of  its  dignity."  . 
"  Its  dignity,  Mr.  James  !    What  sort  of  a  thing  is  this 

^^^^Yoii  do  not  understand  the  word  '  dignity,'  Perry  ? 
Well,  careful  of  its  interests  !" 

its  interests— its  interests,  Mr.  J ames  !  You  say  care- 
ful of  its  interests  !"  •  -ux  « 
"  Certainly,  and  the  future  will  show  you  I  am  right.  , 
"  But  where  are  we  to  get  the  labour  for  the  plantation, 
Mr.  Burbank  ?" 

"  Amongst  the  blacks.  Perry. 

"  But  if  the  blacks  are  free  not  to  work  they  will  not 

^^"^They  will  work;  and,  what  is  more,  work  with  more 
zeal  and  more  pleasure,  for  their  condition  will  better 

But  your  blacks,  Mr.  James  !  Your  blacks  will  begin 
bv  leaving;  you."  .    ,  , 

"  I  shall  be  much  astonished  if  a  single  one  does  any- 

thins:  of  the  sort."  ^  ^     ,         ,  ^  ^ 

"But  I  am  no  longer  overseer  of  the  slaves  at  Camdless 

No  but  you  are  overseer  at  Camdless  Bay;  and  I  do 
not  suppose  your  position  will  be  any  the  worse  for  com- 
manding free  men  instead  of  slaves." 

"  My  dear  Perry,  I  warn  you  that  I  have  an  answer  for 


T^MË  tASt  St  AVI.  ^1 

all  your  buts.    Look  after  what  you  have  to  do  regarding 
a  measure  which  you  cannot  prevent,  and  of  which  all  my 
lamily  approve.  "  *^ 
''And  do  the  blacks  know  nothing  about  it  ^" 
''Not  yet/' said  Burbank;  '^and  do  not  say  anything 
about  It  to  them.    They  shall  be  told  it  to-day.    You  can 
assemble  them  in  the  park  at  three  o'clock  this  afternoon, 
and  tell  them  I  have  a  communication  to  make  to  them  " 
ihen  the  overseer  retired  with  many  a  sesture  of  as- 
tonishment. 

"  Blacks  who  are  not  slaves!  Blacks  who  will  work  for 
themselves  !  Blacks  who  will  have  to  look  after  their 
own  wants  !  It  is  a  regular  capsize  of  the  social  order  î 
It  IS  the  upsettmg  of  all  human  law  !  It  is  against  nature 
— yes,  against  nature  !" 

During  the  morning  Burbank,  Stannard,  and  Carrol 
went  out  in  the  break  to  visit  the  northern  boundary  of 
the  plaîitation.  The  slaves  were  busy  at  their  usual  work 
in  the  fieids  of  rice  and  coffee-shrubs  and  sugar-canes. 
Ihere  was  tlie  same  bustle  going  On  in  the  workshops  and 
saw-miUs.  The  secret  liad  been  well  kept.  JSTo  commu- 
nication had  been  established  between  Jacksonville  and 
Camdless  Bay.  Those  who  were  so  directly  interested 
knew  nothing  of  James  Burbank's  project. 

In  driving  along  the  boundary  of  the  estate  Burbank 
and  his  friends  wished  to  assure  themselves  that  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  plantation  presented  nothing  sus- 
picious. After  yesterday's  declaration  it  was  to  be  feared 
that  some  of  the  Jackso,n ville  mob  or  the  people  of  the 
country  round  might  find  their  way  to  Camdless  Bay.. 
But  nothing  of  the  sort  was  to  be  seen.  No  prowlers 
were  noticed  even  on  the  bank  of  the  river  or  along  the 
bt.  John  s.  ihe  Shannon,  which  passed  at  ten  o'clock 
did  not  stop  at  the  pier,  but  continued  her  voyage  to  Pi- 
colata.  Neither  up  stream  nor  down  stream  was  there 
anything  to  alarm  the  inhabitants  of  Castle  House 

A  little  before  noon  Burbank.  Stannard,  and'Carrol 
repassed  the  bridge  into  the  enclosure  and  entered  the 
House  ihe  family  were  waiting  for  lunch.  They 
seemed  less  anxious  and  talked  more  at  their  ease  It 
seerned  as  though  the  course  of  events  had  paused  for  a' 
while.    Probably  the  energy  of  the  Jacksonville  magis- 


TfiXAR*S  REVENGE. 

tmtes  had  put  a  check  on  the  violent  spirits  of  Texar*s 
party.  If  that  state  of  things  continued  for  a  day  or  so, 
Florida  would  be  occupied  by  the  Federal  army,  and  anti- 
slavery  men,  whether  Northerners  or  Southerners,  would 
be  in  safety. 

James  Burbank  could  thus  proceed  to  the  ceremony  of 
emancipation— the  first  action  of  the  kind  that  had  ever 
voluntarily  taken  place  in  a  slave  State. 

Of  all  the  blacks  on  the  plantation,  the  one  who  would 
be  most  gratified  was  evidently  a  fellow  of  about  twenty, 
whose  name  was  Pvgnialion,  or  Pyg,  as  he  was  more  com- 
monly called.  He'looked  after  the  servants'  quarters  at 
Castle  House,  and  so  lived  there.  He  did  not  work  m 
the  fields,  nor  in  the  factories,  nor  in  the  shops.  Truth 
to  tell,  Pvgmalion  was  a  ridiculous,  vain,  idle  fellow, 
whose  faults  his  master  very  kindly  overlooked.  Since 
the  slave  question  had  come  up,  he  had  beenh(>ard  to  de- 
claim in  sounding  phrases  about  human  liberty.  On  all 
occasions  he  indulged  in  pretentious  speeches  to  his  fel- 
low negroes,  and  was  generally  laughed  down.  As  they 
said,  he  tried  to  ride  a  great  horse  when  even  a  donkey 
would  have  thrown  him.  Many  discussions  had  he  had 
with  Mr.  Perry  when  the  overseer  was  in  a  humour  to 
listen  to  him;  and  we  can  imagine  the  enthusiasm  with 
which  he  would  welcome  an  act  of  enfranchisement  that 
gave  him  the  dignity  of  manhood.  ^ 

The  negroes  had  been  told  to  assemble  in  the  private 
park  in  front  of  Castle  House,  as  an  important  communi- 
cati(jn  was  to  be  made  to  them  by  the  planter. 

A  little  before  three  o'clock— the  time  fixed  for  the 
meeting— the  slaves  began  to  assemble.  They  had  not 
gone  to  work  after  the  midday  meal;  and  had  tidied 
themselves  up  and  changed  their  working  clothes  as  was 
usual  with  them  when  admitted  within  the  pahsades. 
At  the  barracoons  there  had  been  great  excitement,  and 
the  overseer  had  walked  from  one  to  the  other  growling 
to  himself, —  , 
When  I  think  that  at  this  moment  we  can  buy  and 
sell  these  fellows  as  if  they  were  merchandise,  and  in 
another  hour  we  shall  be  able  to  do  nothing  of  the  sort  ! 
Yes  !  I  will  say  so  to  the  last  !  Mr.  Burbank,  you  can 
do  what  you  like  and  say  what  you  like,  and  so  can  Près- 


THE  LAST  SLAVE. 


73 


ident  Lincoln,  and  so  can  all  the  Federals  of  the  North, 
and  all  the  liberals  of  the  world  !" 

And  liere  PjgmalioA,  who  knew  nothing  as  yet,  found 
himself  face  to  face  with  the  overseer. 

Why  are  we  to  be  called  together,  please,  Mr.  Perry?" 
asked  he.    "Do  you  know?" 

"Yes,  idiot!   It  is  to—" 

The  overseer  stopped,  not  wishing  to  betray  the  secret. 
An  idea  occurred  to  him. 
"  Come  here,  Pyg,"  he  said. 
Pygmalion  approached. 

"  Have  I  ever  pulled  your  ear  for  you,  my  boy 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Perry,  for  contrary  to  all  justice — human  or 

divine — you  have  a  right  to  do  so." 

"  Well,  as  it  is  my  right  I  am  going  to  use  it  once 

more  !" 

And  without  heeding  the  cries  of  Pyg,  but  without  do- 
ing him  any  serious  hurt,  he  pulled  the  ears  which  were 
ah-eady  of  tolerable  length.  ^  And  much  did  it  relieve  the 
overseer  to  take  advantage  of  his  right  for  the  last  time. 

At  three  o^clock  James  Burbank  and  his  people  ap- 
peared on  the  terrace  at  Castle  House.  Before  them 
stood  seven  hundred  slaves,  men,  women,  and  children, 
among  them  a  score  of  old  negroes,  who,  when  they  were 
past  work,  found  a  comfortable  retreat  for  old  age  in  the 
Camdless  Bay  barracoons. 

Deep  silence  fell  on  all.  At  a  gesture  from  Mr.  Bur- 
bank  the  overseer  made  the  negroes  form  up  closer,  so 
that  they  could  distinctly  hear  what  was  said  to  them. 

"My  friends,"  said  James  Burbank,  "you  know  that 
a  civil  war  has  been  raging  for  a  long  time  in  the  United 
States.  The  real  cause  of  that  war  is  the  question  of 
slavery.  The  South  is  only  fighting  for  slavery,  in  which 
it  thinks  its  interests  are  bound  up  and  which  it  wishes 
to  maintain.  The  North,  in  the  name  of  humanity,  de- 
sires to  put  an  end  to  it  in  America.  God  has  heli)ed  tlie 
defenders  of  a  righteous  cause,  and  victory  has  already 
more  than  once  declared  for  those  who  are  fighting  for 
the  freedom  of  a  race.  For  some  time,  as  everybody 
knows,  I  have  shared  in  the  opinions  of  the  North  with- 
out being  able  to  put  them  in  practice.  But  now  certain 
things  have  happened,  and  I  can  lose  no  time  in  acting  up 


74 


texar's  revenge. 


to  my  ideas.    Listen,  then,  to  what  I  have  to  tell  you  in 
the  name  of  all  my  family.'' 

There  was  a  subdued  murmur  of  emotion  in  the  crowd, 
but  it  died  away  almost  instantly,  and  then  James  Bur- 
bank,  in  a  voice  that  could  be  heard  by  all,  made  the  fol- 
lowing declaration: — 

''From  this  28th  of  February,  1862,  henceforth  the 
slaves  on  this  plantation  are  free.  They  can  leave  here  or 
stay  here  as  they  please.  There  are  now  none  but  free 
men  at  Camdless  Bay."  ^ 

The  first  greeting  from  those  who  had  thus  ceased  to 
be  slaves  was  a  loud  cheering.  Arms  were  lifted  in  sign 
of  thankfulness.  The  name  of  Burbank  was  shouted 
agai^i  and  again.  The  crowd  rushed  to  the  terrace. 
Men,  women,  and  children  wished  to  kiss  the  hands  of 
their  liberator.  The  enthusiasm  was  indescribable,  and  it 
was  all  the  more  vigorous  from  being  unprepared.  As 
to  Pygmalion,  we  can  imagine  how  he  gesticulated  and 
perorated  and  attitudinized. 

Then  an  old  negro,  the  oldest  on  the  plantation,  ad- 
vanced to  the  steps  of  the  terrace.  Then  he  lifted  his 
head,  and,  speaking  with  much  emotion,  said, — 

In  the  name  of  the  old  slaves  of  Camdless  Bay,  who 
are  now  free,  I  thank  you,  Mr.  Burbank,  for  having  let  us 
hear  the  first  words  of  freedom  ever  spoken  in  the  State 
of  Florida. 

As  he  spoke  the  old  negro  slowly  mounted  the  steps, 
and  kissed  James  Burbank's  hands;  and  then,  as  little 
Dy  stretched  out  her  arms  to  him,  he  lifted  her  up  and 
held  her  out  to  his  comrades. 

"  Hurray  Î    Hurray  for  Mr.  Burbank 

The  joyous  shouts  again  rent  the  air,  loud  enough  to 
carry  to  Jacksonville,  on  the  other  bank  of  the  St.  John's, 
the  news  of  the  great  deed  that  had  been  done. 

The  family  were  deeply  moved.  In  vain  did  they  try 
to  quiet  these  shouts  of  enthusiasm.  It  was  Zermah  who 
succeeded  in  procuring  silence  as  she  advanced  to  the 
edge  of  the  terrace  to  speak. 

"  My  friends,"  said  she,  "  we  are  now  free;  thanks  to 
the  generosity,  to  the  humanity  of  him  who  was  our  mas- 
ter, the  best  of  masters  !" 

"Yes!  yes!"  shouted  hundreds  of  voices  in  one  great 
shout  of  gratitude. 


THE  LAST  SLAVE. 


15 


We  can  now  go  where  we  please.  We  can,  if  we  like, 
avail  ourselves  of  our  liberty  to  leave  the  plantation.  As 
for  me,  I  will  follow  the  instinct  of  iny  heart;  and  I  am 
sure  that  most  of  you  will  do  as  I  do.  '  For  six  years  I 
have  lived  at  Camdless  Bay.  My  husband  and  I  have 
lived  here  and  we  wish  to  die  here.  I  ask  Mr.  Burbank 
to  keep  us  now  we  are  free  as  he  kept  ns  when  we  were 
slaves.  Those  who  wish  him  to  do  so — " 
"All!  all!" 

And  the  words  repeated  a  thousand  times  showed  how 
much  the  master  of  Camdless  Bay  was  appreciated,  and 
proved  the  bond  of  friendship  and  gratitude  that  united 
all  on  the  estate. 

James  Burbank  then  spoke.  He  told  all  those  who 
wished  to  remain  on  the  plantation  that  they  might  do 
so  under  new  conditions;  all  that  was  to  be  done  was  to 
agree  what  price  should  be  paid  for  their  labour.  It  was 
necessary  that  the  matter  should  be  finished  in  due  form, 
and  consequently  each  of  the  negroes  would  now  receive 
a  certificate  of  liberation. 

To  issue  these  was  the  duty  of  the  assistant  overseers. 
Ever  since  Mr.  Burbank  had  decided  to  free  his  slaves  he 
had  had  these  papers  prepared,  and  as  negro  after  negro 
came  up  to  receive  them,  most  affecting  were  the  demon- 
strations of  gratitude. 

The  end  of  the  day  was  devoted  to  rejoicing.  In  the 
morning  the  blacks  would  return  to  their  ordinary  work, 
but  to-day  must  be  given  over  to  festivity.  The  Burbanks, 
as  they  walked  among  the  crowd,  were  greeted  with  tokens 
of  the  sincerest  friendship  and  assurances  of  boundless 
devotion. 

But  among  the  crowd  overseer  Perry  moved  like  a  lost 

soul. 

"  Well,  Perry,"  said  Mr.  Burbank,  "what  say  you?" 

**I  say,  Mr.  James,  that  although  they  are  free,  these 
Africans  are  none  the  less  Africans  and  have  not  changed 
their  colour.  They  were  born  black  and  they  will  die 
black." 

"  But  they  will  live  white,"  said  Burbank  with  a  smile, 
**  and  that  is  everything!" 

That  evening  the  dinner  at  Castle  House  was  a  happy 
one;  and  more  confidence  was  felt  as  to  the  future.    In  a 


texar's  revenge. 

few  days  the  security  of  Florida  would  be  completely 
assured.  No  bad  news  h^d  come  from  Jacksonville.  It 
was  possible  that  James  Burbank's  conduct  before  the 
magistrates  had  had  a  favourable  impression  on  the  major- 
ity of  the  inhabitants.  . 

One  of  the  company  at  dinner  was  Mr.  Overseer  Perry, 
who  had  been  obliged  to  help  in  what  he  could  not  hinder. 
He  sat  down  opposite  the  old  negro  who  had  been  invited 
by  Mr.  Burbank,  in  order  to  show  that  the  freedom  given 
him  was  not  an  empty  declaration.  Outside  were  heard 
the  sounds  of  the  holiday-making;  and  the  park  was  illu- 
minated by  the  reflection  of  the  bonfires  lighted  m  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  plantation.  In  the  middle  of  dinner  a 
deputation  arrived  with  a  magnificent  bouquet  for  the 
little  girl,  the  finest,  certainly,  that  "Miss  Dy  Burbank 
of  Castle  House  "  had  ever  received.  -,    i  ^ 

When  all  had  gone,  the  family  went  back  into  the  hall, 
to  stay  there  till  bedtime.  It  seemed  as  if  a  day  so  well 
begun  could  not  but  end  as  well.  About  eight  o'clock 
the  plantation  was  quiet.  It  seemed  as  though  nothing 
would  occur  to  trouble  it,  when  a  voice  was  heard  with- 
out. 

James  Burbank  rose  and  went  to  the  front  door. 

In  front  of  the  terrace  a  few  men  were  standing  and 
talking  in  a  loud  tone. 

"  What  is  the  matter?"  asked  James  Burbank. 

"  Ml-.  Burbank,"  said  one  of  the  overseers,  a  boat  has 
just  run  alongside  the  pier." 

"  Where  from?" 

"The  left  bank." 

"  Who  is  on  board?"  m  • 

"  A  messenger  sent  to  you  from  the  Jacksonville  magis- 
trates." 

"  And  what  does  he  want?" 

"  He  has  a  letter  for  you.    Shall  I  let  him  land? 

"Yes." 

Mrs.  Burbank  came  to  her  husband's  side,  Alice 
stepped  up  to  one  of  the  windows,  while  Stannard  and 
Carrol  walked  to  the  door.  Zermah,  taking  little  Dy  by 
the  liand,  stood  up.    All  felt  that  some  serious  incident 

was  at  hand.  ,     ,     -,.       i  m 

The  overseer  went  back  to  the  landing-place,  ien 


THE  LAST  SLAVE. 


77 


minutes  afterwards  he  returned  with  the  messenger  whom 
the  boat  had  brought  from  Jacksonville. 

He  was  in  the  uniform  of  the  County  Militia.  He  was 
introduced  into  the  hall,  and  asked  for  Mr.  Burbank. 

"I  am  James  Burbank.    What  is  your  business?" 
To  hand  you  this  letter.  " 

The  messenger  held  out  a  large  envelope  which  bore 
the  seal  of  the  court. 

Burbank  broke  the  seal  and  read, — 

"  By  order  of  the  authorities  newly  constituted  at  Jack- 
sonville, every  slave  set  free  without  the  permission  of  the 
Confederate  Government  will  be  immediately  expelled  the 
territory. 

"The  expulsion  to  take  place  within  the  following 
forty-eight  hoiirs;  and,  in  case  of  refusal,  force  will  be  used. 

**Texae. 

"  Done  at  Jacksonville,  28th  February,  1862." 

The  magistrates  had  been  superseded.  Texar  had  been 
placed  by  his  partisans  in  charge  of  the  town. 

What  ai^swer  shall  I  take  back?"  asked  the  messenger. 
*'None!"  said  James  Burbank. 

The  messenger  retired,  and  was  escorted  back  to  the 
boat,  which  put  off  towards  the  other  side  of  the  stream. 

And  go,  at  the  Spaniard's  orders,  the  old  slaves  of  the 
plantation  were  to  be  dispersed!  Although  they  were 
free  men,  they  were  no  longer  free  to  live  in  Florida! 
Camdless  Bay  was  to  be  deprived  of  all  the  men  on  whom 
he  had  reckoned  to  defend  the  plantation. 

"Free  on  those  conditions?"  said  Zermah.  "Neverl 
I  refuse  such  freedom!  And  if  I  cannot  remain  near  you 
I  would  rather  be  a  slave." 

And,  taking  her  certificate  of  freedom  in  her  hands, 
Zennah  tor©  it  across,  and  fell     James  ^urbank's  fef 


78 


texar's  revenge. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

WAITING. 

Such  were  the  first  consequences  of  the  generous 
action  of  freeing  his  slaves  before  the  Federals  were  mas- 
ters of  the  territory. 

Texar  and  his  partisans  were  now  in  power,  and  could 
indulge  in  any  deed  of  violence  that  their  brutal  natures 
.suggested.  By  his  vague  denunciations  the  Spaniard  had 
not  been  able  to  put  James  Burbank  in  prison,  but  he 
had  gained  his  end  none  the  less  by  taking  advantage  of 
the  excitement  of  the  people  at  the  conduct  of  the  magis- 
trates. After  the  acquittal  of  the  anti-slavery  planter, 
who  was  going  to  proclaim  emancipation  on  the  estate, 
Texar  had  raised  a  crowd  of  malcontents  and  headed  a 
revolution  in  the  town.  He  had  superseded  the  old  mag- 
istrates by  the  most  advanced  members  of  his  party, 
formed  a  committee  of  small  whites  and  Floridans  of 
Spanish  origin,  and  assured  himself  of  the  co-operation 
of  the  militia,  with  whom  he  had  oeen  in  treaty  for  a 
long  time,  and  who  at  once  fraternized  with  the  people. 
The  fate  of  every  person  in  the  county  vva&  now  in  his 
hands. 

James  Burbank's  conduct  had  not  been  approved  by 
tlie  majority  of  the  planters  on  the  banks  of  the  St. 
John's,  who  feared  that  their  own  slaves  would  compel 
them  to  follow  his  example.  Most  of  them  being  ardent 
Southerners,  pledged  to  withstand  the  pretensions  of  the 
Unionists,  saw  with  extreme  irritation  the  advance  of  the 
Federal  armies,  and  declared  that  Florida  should  resist 
them  as  the  other  Southern  States  were  resisting  them. 
At  the  outset  of  the  war  they  had  treated  the  question  of 
enfranchisement  with  indifference,  but  they  had  hastened 
to  range  themselves  under  the  flag  of  Jefferson  Davis, 
and  to  do  their  utmost  to  second  the  efforts  of  the  rebels 
against  the  Government  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Under  snch  circvimst^inceà  tliere  was  hUU  wonder  that 


WAITING. 


Texar,  haTing  tiie  same  opinions  and  interests  to  defend, 
should  have  succeeded  as  lie  had  done,  notwithstanding 
his  evil  reputation.  He  had  seized  his  post,  however,  not 
so  much  to  organize  resistance  and  repulse  Commodore 
Dupont's  flotilla  as  to  gratif  y  his  evil  instincts;  and  that  is 
why,  on  account  of  the  hatred  hebore  towards  the  J3urbank 
family,  his  first  care  had  been  to  reply  to  the  liberation  at 
Camdless  Bay  by  the  edict  which  obliged  the  slaves  who 
had  been  freed  to  leave  the  territory  in  forty-eight  hours. 

"  In  acting  thus,"  he  said,  ''I  protect  the  interests  of 
the  planters.  They  cannot  but  appi-ove  of  a  measure 
which  will  prevent  the  rising  of  the  slaves  in  Florida.-" 

The  majority  had  thus  applauded  without  reservation 
this  order  of  Texar's,  arbitrary  though  it  was.  It  was 
arbitrary,  unique,  and  indefensible.  In  freeing  his  slaves, 
James  Burbank  was  only  acting  within  his  right  which 
he  had  always, possessed.  He  could  have  done  it  before 
the  war  had  divided  the  United  States  on  the  subject  of 
slavery.  Nothing  had  occurred  to  supersede  this  right, 
and  Texar^s  action  was  neither  just  nor  legal. 

But  Camdless  Bay  would  be  deprived  of  its  natural  de- 
fenders, and  Texar's  object  would  be  attained. 

This  was  well  understood  at  Castle  House  ;  and  it  would 
perhaps  have  been  better  if  James  Burbank  had  waited 
till  he  could  act  without  danger.  But,  as  we  know,  he 
had  been  charged  before  the  Jacksonville  magistrates 
with  acting  contrary  to  his  opinions,  and  so  placed  that 
he  must  conform  to  them  ;  and,  incapable  of  mastering 
his  indignation,  he  had  declared  himself  publicly,  and 
had  publicly  proceeded  before  the  people  of  his  planta- 
tion to  give  his  slaves  their  freedom.  By  doing  so  he  had 
injured  his  own  position  and  that  of  his  guests,  and  now 
it  must  be  decided  in  all  haste  what  was  to  be  done. 

In  the  first  place — and  this  very  evening  the  discussion 
was  entered  upon — could  they  go  back  on  this  act  of 
emancipation?  No.  That  would  make  no  difference  in 
the  statè  of  affairs.  Texar  would  not  recognize  such  a 
tardy  going  back.  Besides,  the  negroes,  when  they  learnt 
what  the  Jacksonville  authorities  had  decided  to  do, 
would  unanimously  imitate  Zermah's  e:iample.  iRather 
than  leave  Camdless  Bay  and  be  hunted  from  the  State, 
they  would  return  to  their  coM*ti(^n  ^s  slaves  ^ntil  tbo 


80 


texar's  revenge. 


time  when  they  would  have  the  right  to  be  free  and  live 
freely  where  they  pleased. 

But  what  would  be  the  good  of  this  ?  They  would, 
under  their  old  master,  defend  the  plantation  which  had 
become  their  home,  and  with  all  the  more  ardour  now 
they  had  been  freed.  This  Zermah  guaranteed.  James 
Burbank  therefore  decided  that  he  would  not  recall  what 
he  had  done.    All  the  rest  were  of  his  opinion. 

And  they  were  not  mistaken.  In  the  morning,  when 
the  new  decree  of  the  Jacksonville  Committee  was  known, 
marks  of  devotion  and  tokens  of  fidelity  came  in  from  all 
sides.  If  Texar  attempted  to  put  the  edict  in  force  they 
would  resist  it.  If  he  used  force,  they  would  use  force  to 
repel  him. 

"And,  besides,"  said  Carrol,  "events  are  hurrying  on. 
In  a  couple  of  days,  in  twenty-four  hours,  perhaps,  the  slave 
question  in  Florida  will  be  settled.  To-morrow  the  Fed- 
eral flotilla  may  force  the  mouths  of  the  St.  John's, 
and  then — " 

"And  if  the  militia,  aided  by  the  Confederate  troops, 
make  any  resistance  ?"  asked  Mr.  Stannard. 

"If  they  resist,  their  resistance  will  not  last  long,"  said 
Carrol.  "  Without  ships  or  gunners,  how  can  they  oppose 
the  passage  of  Commodore  Dupont,  the  landing  of  Sher- 
man, the  occupation  of  the  ports  of  Fernandina,  Jackson- 
Tille,  and  St.  Augustine  ?  When  these  points  are  occu- 
pied, the  Federals  will  be  masters  of  Florida.  Then 
Texar  and  his  friends  will  have  to  run." 

"  If  they  could  only  catch  him,"  said  James  Burbank, 
"  then  we  should  see  if,  when  he  is  in  the  hands  of  Fed- 
eral justice,  he  could  substantiate  some  alibi  to  escape  the 
punishment  he  deserves." 

The  night  passed  without  the  security  of  Castle  House 
being  disturbed.  In  the  morning  the  rumours  that  were 
flying  about  were  inquired  into.  The  plantation  was  not 
threatened  that  day.  Texar's  decree  had  ordered  the  ex- 
pulsion of  the  blacks  in  forty-eight  hours.  James  Bur- 
bank had  determined  to  resist  the  order,  and  occupied  the 
time  in  preparing  for  the  defence  of  his  house.  • 

It  was,  however,  important  to  get  at  ^11  the  reports 
from  the  theatre  of  war.  Any  moment  the  state  of  affairs 
might  be  changed  J*  apd  James  Pm'b^nlç        his  brother- 


81 


îh-law  set  off  on  horseback  to  learn  what  they  could. 
Descending  the  right  bank  of  the  St.  John's,  they  rode 
towards  the  mouth  of  the  river,  so  as  to  explore  for  a 
dozen  miles  the  widening  of  the  river,  which  ends  at  San 
Pablo,  where  the  lightiiouse  stands.  As  they  passed 
Jacksonville  they  would  be  able  to  see  if  there  was  any 
gathering  of  boats  indicating  an  approaching  attack  on 
Oamdless  Bay.  In  half  an  hour  they  had  passed  the 
boundary  of  the  plantation. 

Meanwhile  Mrs.  Burbank  and  Alice  were  walking  in 
,     the  park  of  Castle  House.    In  vain  Mr.  Stannard  tried  to 
calm  their  apprehensions.    They  both  had  a  presentiment 
of  a  coming  catastrophe. 

Zermah  had  been  among  the  barracoons.  Although  the 
threat  of  expulsion  was  known,  the  blacks  heeded  it  not. 
They  had  returned  to  their  usual  work.  Like  their  old 
master,  they  had  made  up  their  minds  to  resist.  If  they 
were  free,  by  what  right  were  they  to  be  expelled  from 
the  country  of  their  adoption?  Nothing  could  be  more 
satisfactory  than  Zermah's  report— the  blacks  of  Oamdless 
Bay  could  be  trusted. 

Yes,"  said  she,  ''my  companions  will  all  return  to 
slavery,  as  I  have  done,  rather  than  leave  their  master! 
And  if  they  are  obliged,  they  will  defend  their  rights.'' 

Nothing  more  was  to  be  done  than  to  wait  for  the  re- 
turn of  James  Burbank  and  Edward  Carrol. 

At  this  date,  the  1st  of  March,  it  was  not  impossible 
that  the  Federal  flotilla  had  arrived  in  sight  of  Pablo 
^  lighthouse,  ready  to  occupy  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's. 
The  Confederates  had  not  too  many  militia  to  oppose 
their  passage,  and  the  authorities  of  Jacksonville  would 
have  none  to  spare  to  carry  out  their  threats  against  the 
former  slaves  of  Camdless  Bay. 

Mr.  Perry  made  his  daily  visit  to  the  different  workshops 
and  storehouses  on  the  estate.  He  also  could  bear  wit- 
ness to  the  good  disposition  of  the  negroes.  Although  he 
did  not  care  to  admit  it,  he  saw  that  if  they  had  changed 
their  condition,  their  assiduity  at  their  work  and  devotion 
to  the  Burbank  family  had  not  changed.  To  resist  all  that 
the  Jacksonville  populace  attempted  against  them  they 
were  firmly  resolved.  But,  in  Mr.  Perry's  opinion,  these 
fine  feelings  would  not  last.   Nature  would  reclaim  her 


rights.  After  tasting  independence,  these  enfranchised 
negroes  would  return  to  slavery,  and  descend  to  the  place 
that  Nature  intended  for  them,  between  the  man  and  the 
animal. 

As  he  was  thinking  of  these  things,  who  should  he  run 
against  but  the  conceited  Pygmalion,  strutting  like  a  pea- 
cock with  his  head  on  high,  his  hands  behind  his  back, 
and  evidently  thinking  very  much  of  himself  as  a  free 
man.  One  thing  was  certain,  and  that  was  that  he  was 
not  doing  much  work. 

Good -morning,  Mr.  Perry,"  said  he  superbly.' 
What  are  you  doing,  Mr.  Idle?" 

*'l  am  taking  a  walk  !  Have  I  not  the  right  to  do 
nothing  now  I  am  no  longer  a  vile  slave,  and  have  the 
certificate  of  liberation  in  my  pocket  ?" 

"  And  who  is  to  feed  you,  Pyg  ?" 

''I  am,  Mr.  Perry." 

«And  how?" 

"By  eating." 

**And  who  is  to  give  you  what  you  eat  ?" 
"My  master." 

"Your  master!  Have  you  forgotten  that  now  you 
have  no  master,  noodle  ?" 

"  No.  I  had  one,  and  I  shall  have  one  ;  and  Mr.  Bur- 
bank  will  not  send  me  away  from  the  plantation,  where, 
I  can  say  without  boasting,  I  am  of  some  use." 

"  But  he  will  send  you  away." 

"  Will  he  ?" 

"  Certainly.  When  you  belonged  to  him  he  could  keep 
you  to  do  nothing.  But  now  you  do  not  belong  to  him 
he  will  show  you  the  door  if  you  do  not  work,  and  we  shall 
see  what  you  will  do  with  your  liberty,  poor  lunatic  !" 

Evidently  Pyg  had  not  studied  the  question  from  that 
point  of  view. 

"  What,  Mr.  Perry  ?  Do  you  think  Mr.  Burbank  would 
be  so  cruel—" 

It  is  not  cruel  ;  it  is  only  logical.  Besides,  'whether 
Mr.  James  wishes  it  or  no,  there  is  a  decree  of  the  Com- 
mitee  at  Jacksonville  ordering  every  freed  slave  out  of 
Florida." 

"Then  that  is  true,  then  ?" 
Quite  true  ;  and  we  shall  now  see  how  you  and  your 


WAlTINa. 


83 


companions  will  get  out  of  the  difficulty  now  you  have 
lost  your  master." 

"1  am  not  going  to  leave  Camdless  Bay  even  if  I  am 
free." 

You  are  free  to  go,  but  not  free  to  stop  !  You  had 
better  pack  up." 

"  And  what^s  to  become  of  me  ?" 
That  is  your  business." 

*'Fut  if  I  am  free,"  said  Pjgmalion,  returning  again  to 
that  point,    if  I  am  free — " 

"  That  is  not  enough,  it  seems  !" 

"Tell  me  what  I  ought  to  do,  Mr.  Perry." 

"  What  you  ought  to  do  ?  Well  ;  listen,  and  follow  me, 
if  you  can." 

"I  follow." 

"You  are  free,  are  you  not  ?" 

"  Yes,  and  I  have  got  the  certificate  in  my  pocket." 

"  Well  ;  tear  it  up.^' 

"Never." 

"  Then  there  is  only  one  way  I  can  see  for  you  to  stop 
here." 

"What  is  that?" 

"  Change  your  colour,  Pyg  1  When  you  are  white  you 
can  live  at  Camdless  Bay  ;  till  then  you  cannot." 

The  overseer,  chuckling  at  having  given  Pyg's  vanity 
such  a  lesson,  turned  on  his  heel. 

Pyg  remained  deep  in  thought.  He  saw  that  to  be  no 
longer  a  slave  was  not  enough  to  keep  him  his  place.  He 
must  be  white  !  And  how  could  he  become  white,  when 
Nature  had  made  him  black  as  ebony  ?  And  as  he  re-, 
turned  to  Castle  House  he  scratched  his  head  as  if  he 
were  tearing  the  hair  from  the  skin. 

A  little  before  noon  James  Burbank  and  Edward  Carrol 
returned  to  Castle  House.  .They  had  seen  nothing  alarm- 
ing at  Jacksonville.  The  boats  were  in  their  usual  place, 
some  moored  to  the  pier,  others  anchored  out  in  the 
stream.  A  few  detachments  of  Confederates  had  been 
seen  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  marching  towards  the 
north  towards  Nassau  county.  Nothing  seemed  to  threaten 
Camdless  Bay. 

When  they  reached  the  end  of  the  estuary,  Burbank 
and  his  companion  had  looked  out  over  the  open  sea.  Ther« 


84 


texar's  revenge. 


was  not  a  sail  in  sight.  Not  a  cloud  of  smoke  from  some 
steamer  could  be  traced  on  the  horizon  to  indicate  the 
presence  or  approach  of  a  squadron.  Preparations  for 
defence  there  were  none.  Th«re  were  no  batteries,  no 
earthworks.  If  the  Federal  ships  appeared  either  at 
Xassau  Creek  or  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's,  there 
was  nothing  to  stop  them.  Only  Pablo  lighthouse  was 
dismantled  ;  the  lantern  was  unshipped;  and  the  passes 
were  thus  unlighted.  But  that  would  only  prevent  the 
entrance  of  a  flotilla  during  the  night. 

Such  was  the  report  they  brought  back  with  them. 
There  seemed  to  be  nothing  doing  at  Jacksonville  to  indi- 
cate an  approaching  attack  on  Oamdless  Bay. 

"That  is  well,"  said  Mr.  Stannard,  "but  it  is  unsatis- 
factory that  Dupont's  ships  are  not  yet  in  sight  ;  there  is 
a  delay  there  that  I  cannot  understand  !" 

"Yes,"  said  Carrol  ;  "if  the  fleet  sailed  the  day  before 
yesterday  from  St.  Andrew's  Bay,  it  ought  now  to  be  oft 
Fernandina." 

"  It  has  been  very  bad  weather  during  these  last  two  op 


with  these  westerly  winds  Dupont  has  had  to  go  out  to 
sea.  The  wind  went  down  this  morning,  and  I  should  not 
be  surprisad  if  this  very  night — " 

"  May  heaven  listen  to  you,  my  dear  James,"  said  Mrs. 
Burbank,  "  and  come  to  our  help." 

If  Pablo  lighthouse,"  said  Alice,  "is  not  lighted,  how 
could  the  flotilla  get  into  the  St.  John's  to-night  ?" 
j  "It  would  be  impossible  for  them  to  get  into  the  St. 
J ohn's,'^  said  Burbank.  "But  before  attacking  the  mouths 
of  the  river  the  Federals  would  have  to  capture  Amelia 
Island  and  then  Fernandina,  so  as  to  command  the  rail- 
way to  Cedar  Keys.  I  do  not  expect  Dupont's  vessels  up 
the  St.  John's  for  three  or  four  days." 

"That  is  so,  James,"  said  Carrol.  "But  I  hope  the 
capture  of  Fernandina  would  force  the  Confederates  to 
retreat.  The  militia  might  even  abandon  Jacksonville 
before  the  arrival  of  the  gunboats.  Then  Camdless  Bay 
would  no  longer  be  threatened  by  Texar  and  his  accom- 
plices— " 

"That  is  possible,"  said  James  Burbank.  "Once  the 
Federals  set  foot  in  Florida,  our  safety  will  be,  to  a  ce?- 


three  days,"  said  James 


tain  extent,  secured.  Is  there  any  news  on  the  planta- 
tion r 

''None,"  said  Alice.  heard  from  Zermah  that  the 
blacks  had  gone  to  work  as  usual,  and  that  they  are  ready 
to  fight  to  the  last  in  defence  of  Camdless  Bay." 

''Let  us  hope  we  shall  not  have  to  put  their  devotion  to 
the  proof  !  I  shall  not  be  at  all  surprised  if  the  scoundrels 
who  have  got  the  upper  hand  at  Jacksonville  take  them- 
selves off  as  soon  as  the  Federal  fleet  is  signalled.  But 
we  must  be  on  our  guard.  After  lunch,  Stannard,  come 
with  Carrol  and  me  over  to  the  most  exposed  part  of  the 
estate.  I  do  not  want  you  and  Alice  to  be  in  as  much 
danger  here  as  at  Jacksonville.  In  truth,  I  shall  never  for- 
give myself  for  bringing  you  here,  if  things  turn  out 
badly." 

"My  dear  James,"  said  Stannard,  "if  we  had  stayed 
in  our  house  at  Jacksonville  we  should  have  been  exposed 
to  the  exactions  of  the  authorities,  like  all  the  rest  who 
hold  anti-slavery  opinions." 

"In any  case,  Mr.  Burbank,"  said  Alice,  "even  if  the 
danger  is  greater  here,  is  it  not  better  for  us  to  share  it 
with  you  ?" 

"Yes,  my  dear  girl,"  said  James  Burbank.  "Gome 
on  !  I  hope  and  think  that  Texar  will  not  have  time  to 
put  his  scheme  against  our  men  into  execution." 

During  the  afternoon  Burbank  and  his  friends  visited 
the  barracoons  with  Mr.  Perry.  They  could  see  for  them- 
selves that  the  feeling  among  the  blacks  was  excellent. 
Burbank  called  the  overseer's  attention  to  the  zeal  with 
which  the  newly  freed  negroes  had  returned  to  work.  Not 
one  was  absent  from  his  post. 

"  Yes,  yes  !"  answered  Perry.  "But  we  have  to  see 
how  the  work  will  turn  out  in  the  end." 

"  But  they  did  not  change  their  arms  when  they  changed 
their  condition,  did  they  ?" 

"Not  yet  ;  but  you  will  soon  see  that  they  have  not  the 
same  hands  at  the  end  of  the  arms." 

"Well,  Perry,"  replied  Burbank  gaily,  "their  hands 
will  always  have  five  fingers,  I  imagine  ;  and  we  cannot 
expect  them  to  have  more." 

As  soon  as  the  round  had  been  made,  Mr.  Burbank  and 
his  friends  returned  to  Castle  House.  The  evening  passed 


86  I^EXAE^S  RKVÈKGÊ. 

as  quietly  as  the  last,  In  the  absence  of  all  news  from 
Jacksonville  there  seemed  to  be  ground  for  hope  that 
T'^xar  had  giren  up  his  threat,  or  that  ho  had  no  time  to 
execute  it. 

Careful  precautions  were,  however,  taken  during  the 
night.  Perry  and  the  assistant  overseers  stationed  sentries 
round  the  estate,  and  particularly  watched  the  banks  of 
the  river.  The  blacks  had  been  cautioned  to  retreat  on 
the  palisades  in  case  of  an  alarm,  and  a  sentry  was  on 
guard  at  the  gate. 

Many  times  did  James  Burbank  and  his  friends  go  out 
to  see  that  their  orders  had  been  attended  to.  When  the 
sun  rose  nothing  had  happened.  The  night  had  passed 
without  incident. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  MORNING  OF  THE  2ND  OF  MARCH. 

Next  day,  March  2nd,  James  Burbank  had  news  by 
one  of  his  assistant  overseers,  who  had  crossed  the  river 
and  returned  to  Jacksonville  without  awaking  sus;^icion. 

The  news  was  undoubtedly  correct  and  it  was  impor- 
tant. 

Commodore  Dupont  had  anchored  at  daybreak  in  St. 
Andrew's  Bay,  on  the  coast  of  Georgia.  The  Wabash^  on 
which  he  had  hoisted  his  flag,  was  at  the  head  of  a  squad- 
ron of  twenty-six  vessels,  of  which  eig'- teen  were  gun- 
boats, one  a  cutter,  one  an  armed  transport,  and  stx  were 
ordinary  transports  with  Geneial  Wright's  brigade  on 
board.  And,  as  Gilbert  had  said  in  his  last  letter,  Gen- 
eral Sherman  accojnpanied  the  expedition. 

Commodore  Dupont,  whom  the  bad  weather  had  kept 
back,  had  at  once  set  to  work  to  take  possession  of  the 
passes  of  the  St.  Mary's.  These  channels,  difficult  enough 
of  access,  open  off  the  mouth  of  the  river  of  the  same 
name  to  the  north  of  Amelia  Island  on  the  frontier  of 
Georgia  and  Florida. 


Î^ÎÎË  MÔflNi:^G  ÔF  THE  ^ND  ÔF  MAECH.  87 

Feruandina,  the  principal  position  of  the  island,  was. 
protected  by  Fort  Clinch  with  a  garfison  of  fifteen  hnn- 
dred  men  behind  its  thick  stone  walls.  Would  the  South- 
erners hold  out  against  the  Federals  in  this  fortress, 
wherein  they  might  make  a  lengthened  defence?  It 
would  tje  thought  so. 

Nothmg  of  the  kind  was  done.  According  to  the  as- 
sistant overseer's  report,  a  rumour  had  reached  Jackson- 
ville that  the  Confederates  had  evacuated  Fort  Clinch  as 
soon  as  the  squadron  appeared  in  St.  Mary's  Bay;  and 
not  only  had  they  abandoned  Fort  Clinch,  but  they  had 
cleared  out  of  Fernandiria,  Cumberland  Inland,  and*  all 
that  part  of  the  Florida  coast. 

This  was  all  the  news  that  reached  Castle  House,  but 
there  is  no  need  to  dwell  on  its  importance  \'vith  regard  to 
the  position  at  Camdless  Bay.  Now  that  the  Federals 
had  at  last  landed  in  Floiida,  the  whole  State  would  soon 
be  in  their  power.  Obviously  a  few  days  would  elapse 
before  the  gunboats  crossed  the  bar  of  the  St.  John's. 
But  their  presence  would  ha\'e  its  elfect  on  the  new  au- 
thorities of  Jacksonville,  and  there  was  room  to  hope 
that,  in  fear  of  reprisals,  Texar  and  his  supporters  would 
not  dare  to  take  action  against  the  plantation  of  so  prom- 
inent a  Northerner  as  James  Burbank. 

This  was  reassuring  for  the  family,  whose  fear  was  sud- 
denly changed  to  hope.  And  Alice  Stannard  and  Mrs. 
Burbank  ceased  to  tremble  for  Gilbert's  safety,  with  the 
certainty  that  he  was  not  far  off  and  the  assurance  that 
he  would  soon  return.  The  young  lieuteuHut  at  St.  An- 
drew's was  within  thirty  miles  of  Camdless  Bay.  He  was 
on  board  the  gunboat  Ottawa,  which  had  jnst  been  dis- 
tinguished by  a  feat  of  arms  unexampled  in  naval  an- 
nals. 

What  had  happened  on  the  morning  of  the  2nd  of 
March  was  this.  The  assistant-overseer  had  not  ascer- 
tained these  details  during  his  visit  to  Jacksonville,  but  it 
is  important  that  they  should  be  known  on  account  of  the 
events  that  followed. 

As  soon  as  Commodore  Dupont  discovered  that  Fort 
Clinch  had  been  evacuated  by  the  Confederate  garrison, 
he  sent  a  few  vessels  of  light  draught  across  St.  Mary's 
Channel.    Already  the  white  population  had  retired  into 


the  interior  of  the  country  with  the  Southern  troops, 
abandoning  the  ^wns,  villages,  and  plantations  on  the 
coast.  There  was  a  regular  panic  due  to  the  fear  of  the 
reprisals  which,  the  Secessionists  falsely  stated,  were  in- 
tended by  the  Federal  chief.  Not  only  in  Florida,  but 
along  the  Georgian  frontier,  along  the  whole  extent  of 
country  between  the  bays  of  Ossabaw  and  St.  Mary%  the 
people  beat  a  precipitate  retreat  so  as  to  escape  from  the 
troops  landed  by  General  Wright.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, Commodore  Dupont  did  not  have  to  fire  a  shot 
^  to  get  possession  of  Fort  Clinch  and  Fernandina.  The 

funboat  Ottawa,  on  which  was  Gilbert,  accompanied  by 
[ars,  acted  as  second,  and  had  to  use  its  guns  in  the 
manner  following. 

The  town  of  Fernandina  is  connected  with  the  west 
coast  of  Florida  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  by  a  branch  rail- 
way which  runs  to  Cedar  Keys.  The  railway  runs  along 
the  coast  of  Amelia  Island;  then  before  it  reaches  the 
mainland  it  crosses  Nassau  Creek  on  a  long  bridge  of 
piles. 

When  the  Ottawa  reached  the  centre  of  the  creek  a 
train  was  on  the  bridge.  The  garrison  of  Fernandina 
was  in  flight,  taking  its  provisions  with  it,  and  followed 
by  many  of  the  more  or  less  important  people  of  the  town. 
Immediately  the  gunboat  started  at  full  speed  towards  the 
bridge  and  fired  her  bow-chasers  at  the  piles  and  the  train. 
Gilbert  was  in  charge  of  the  firing,  and  many  good  shots 
were  made;  among  them  a  shell  struck  the  last  carriage 
of  the  train  and  broke  the  axle  and  the  coupling.  The 
train  did  not  stop  for  an  instant — to  do  so  would  have 
been  dangerous — and  leaving  the  carriage  to  look  after  it' 
self,  steamed  off  full  speed  to  the  south-west,  A  detach- 
ment of  Federal  troops  landed  at  Fernandina  appeared  at 
this  moment  and  rushed  on  to  the  bridge.  The  carriage 
was  captured  with  the  fugitives  it  contained,  who  were 
chiefly  civilians.  The  prisoners  were  taken  to  the  supe- 
rior officer.  Colonel  Gardner,  in  command  at  Fernandina, 
who  took  their  names,  kept  them  for  twenty-four  hours 
on  one  of  the  vessels  of  the  squadron,  as  an  example,  and 
then  released  them. 

When  the  train  had  run  out  of  sight,  the  Ottawa  went 
off  to  attack  and  seize  a  vessel  lad&n  with  war  material, 


THE  MORNING  OP  THE  2ND  OF  MARCH, 


which  had  taken  refuse  in  the  bay.  These  events  were 
calculated  to  spread  discouragement  among  the  Confed- 
erate troops  and  the  people  Of  the  Floridan  towns;  and 
this  was  particularly  the  case  at  Jacksonville.  The  estu- 
ary of  the  St.  John's  would  be  forced  as  easily  as  had  been 
that  of  the  St.  Mary's;  that  was  very  evident,  and  proba- 
bly the  Unionists  would  meet  with  no  more  resistance  at 
Jacksonville  than  at  St.  Augustine  and  the  other  coast 
towns. 

This  was  good  news  for  James  Burbank.  He  might 
well  believe  that  Texar  dared  not  now  give  effect  to  his 
plans.  He  and  his  partisans  would  be  superseded,  and  in 
due  course  the  honest  folks  would  resume  the  power  of 
which  an  outbreak  of  the  mob  had  deprived  them. 

There  was  every  reason  to  think  in  this  way  and  to 
hope;  and  as  soon  as  the  staff  at  Camdless  Bay  heard  the 
important  news,  which  was  soon  known  at  Jacksonville, 
their  joy  showed  itself  in  noisy  cheering,  in  which  Pyg- 
malion took  a  prominent  part.  Nevertheless,  it  would 
not  do  to  abandon  the  precautions  which  had  been  taken 
to  secure  the  safety  of  the  estate,  at  least  until  the  gun- 
boats appeared  in  the  river. 

Unfortunately— and  this  James  Burbank  could  neither 
imagine  nor  suppose— a  whole  week  was  to  elapse  before 
the  Federals  were  ready  to  enter  the  St.  John's.  And 
during  that  time  what  dangers  were  to  threaten  Camdless 
Bayl 

Commodore  Dupont's  plan  was  to  show  the  Federal 
flag  at  every  point  where  vessels  could  go.  He  split  up 
his  squadron  into  detachments.  One  gunboat  was  sent 
up  the  St.  Mary's  Eiver  to  occupy  the  little  town  of  that 
name,  and  advance  some  sixty  miles  up  the  country.  To 
the  south  were  sent  three  other  gunboats,  commanded  by 
Captain  Gordon,  to  explore  the  bays,  seize  Jekyll  and  St. 
Simon's  islands,  and  take  possession  of  the  small  towns  of 
Brunswick  and  Darien,  which  had  been  partly  abandoned 
by  their  inhabitants.  Six  steamers  of  light  draught  were 
destined,  under  the  orders  of  Commandant  Stevens,  to 
enter  the  St.  John's  and  reduce  Jacksonville.  The  rest 
of  the  squadron,  under  Dupont,  was  to  take  care  of  St. 
Augustine's  and  blockade  the  coast  down  to  Mosquito 
Inlet,  the  passes  of  which  would  be  then  olpsed  against; 
contra-band  of  war. 


90 


texar's  revenge. 


But  this  series  of  operations  could  not  be  accomplished 
in  twenty-four  hours,  and  twenty-four  hours  would  be 
enough  for  the  devastation  of  the  country  by  the  South- 
erners. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  James  Burbank 
had  his  first  suspicions  of  what  was  being  devised  against 
him.  Mr.  Perry,  after  a  round  of  inspection  on  the 
frontier  of  the  plantation,  came  hurriedly  into  Castle 
House  and  said, — 

''Mr.  Burbank,  they  have  reported  that  some  suspi- 
cious vagabonds  are  on  their  way  to  Oamdless  Bay." 

''From  the  north?" 

"  From  the  north." 

Almost  at  the  same  moment  Zermah,  returning  from 
the  landing-place,  told  her  master  that  there  was  a  lot  of 
boats  crossing  the  river  and  approaching  the  right  bank. 

"  They  are  coming  from  Jacksonville  ?" 

"Certainly." 

"Go  into  the  house,"  said  Burbank,  "and  don't  go 
out  again,  Zermah,  on  any  pretence." 
"No,  master." 

Burbank  went  off  to  reconnoitre.  When  he  returned, 
he  could  not  but  tell  his  friend"  that  matters  looked 
threatening.  An  attack  seemed  almost  certain,  and  it 
was  better  that  all  should  be  forewarned. 

"And  so,"  said  Mr.  Stannard,  "these  scoundrels,  on 
the  eve  of  being  curbed  by  the  Federals,  dare — " 

"  Yes,"  said  Burbank,  coldly.  "  Texar  could  not  miss 
such  an  opportunity  of  being  revenged  when  he  is  free  to 
disappear  as  soon  as  his  vengeance  is  satisfied."  Then 
with  more  animation  he  resumed,  "  But  will  this  man's 
crimes  always  remain  unpunished  ?  Will  he  always  get 
away  ?  In  truth  after  doubting  the  justice  of  man  are  we 
to  doubt  the  justice  of  Heaven — " 

"James,"  said  Mrs.  Burbank,  "at  a  time  when  we 
may  only  have  the  help  of  God  to  trust  to,  do  not  re- 
proach Him — " 

"And  let  us  put  ourselves  under  His  care,"  said  Alice 
Stannard. 

James  Burbank,  recovering  his  coolness,  set  about  giv- 
ing his  orders  for  the  defence  of  the  house. 

"  Have  the  blacks  been  told  ?"  asked  ^Idward  Çarrol, 


THE  MORNING  OF  THE  2nD  OF  MARCH.  91 

"  They  will  be/'  said  Burbank.  My  idea  is  to  defend 
the  palisades.  We  cannot  think  of  defending  the  whole 
boundary  of  Camdless  Bay  against  an  armed  mob,  for  it 
is  likely  that  the  assailants  will  be  in  large  numbers.  We 
must  get  all  the  defenders  into  the  inner  ring.  If, 
unfortunately,  the  palisade  is  forced,  Castle  House,  which 
once  defied  the  Seminoles,  may  perhaps  be  held  against 
Texar's  bandits.  My  wife,  Alice  and  D}^,  and  Zermah, 
to  whom  I  entrust  them,  must  not  leave  the  house  with- 
out my  order.  If  matters  become  serious,  everything  is 
prepared  for  them  to  save  themselves  by  the  tunnel  which 
communicates  with  the  little  Marine  Creek  of  the  St. 
John's  ;  there  a  boat  will  be  found  in  charge  of  two  of 
our  men.  It  is  hidden  in  the  bushes  ;  and,  Zermah,  you 
must  go  in  it  up  the  river  to  Cedar  Kock." 

"  But  you,  James  ?" 

"And  you,  father?" 

Mrs.  Burbank  had  seized  the  planter  by  the  arm,  and 
Alice  had  caught  hold  of  Mr.  Stannard,  as  if  the  time 
had  come  for  them  to  escape  from  Castle  House. 

We  will  do  all  we  can  to  rejoin  you,"  said  Burbank, 

when  the  position  is  no  longer  tenable.  But  you  must 
promise,  if  the  danger  becomes  too  great,  to  get  away  to 
safety  at  Cedar  Rock.  We  shall  want  all  we  have  of 
courage  and  audacity  to  keep  back  the  scoundrels,  and 
resist  them  till  our  ammunition  fails." 

Evidently  this  is  what  would  have  to  be  done  if  the 
assailants  were  too  numerous  and  succeeded  in  forcing 
the  palisades  and  invading  the  park  so  as  to  make  a  direct 
attack  on  Castle  House. 

James  Burbank  then  called  together  his  men,  and  Perry 
and  his  assistants  ran  off  to  the  barracoons  with  his  orders. 
In  less  than  an  hour  the  blacks,  in  fighting  trim,  were 
drawn  up  near  the  gate  in  the  palisades.  Their  wives 
and  children  had  gone  off  to  seek  safety  in  the  woods 
round  Camdless  Bay. 

Unfortunately,  the  means  of  organizing  a  serious  de- 
fence were  limited.  Since  the  beginning  of  the  war  it 
had  been  almost  impossible  to  procure  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion in  sufficient  quantity.  Burbank  had  in  vain  tried 
to  buy  them  at  Jacksonville  ;  and  he  had  to  be  content 
with  what  remained  in  the  house  after  the  last  siege  by 
the  Seminoles. 


02 


texae's  revenge. 


His  plan  was  to  preserve  Castle  House  from  being 
burnt  or  stormed.  He  could  not  dream  of  protecting  the 
estate,  saving  the  workshops,  stores,  factories,  or  barra- 
coons,  or  preventing  the  plantation  from  being  devastated. 
He  had  hardly  four  hundred  negroes  in  a  state  to  oppose 
the  assailants,  and  these  were  insufficiently  armed.  A 
few  dozen  muskets  were  distributed  to  the  best  men, 
while  the  arms  of  precision  were  kept  in  reserve  for  James 
Bu^-bank,  his  friends,  Perry,  and  the  assistant-overseers. 

The  whole  force  was  drawn  up  at  the  gate  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  repulse  the  threatened  assault  on  the  pali- 
sades, which  were  also  defended  by  the  creek  that  ran 
round  them. 

Amid  the  confusion  Pygmalion  was  very  busy  and  ex- 
cited, bustling  hither  and  thither  and  doing  nothing. 
He  was  like  one  of  those  circus  clowns  who  pretend  to  do 
everything  and  do  nothing,  much  to  the  amusement  of 
the  audience.  Pyg,  considering  himself  as  belonging 
specially  to  the  defenders  of  the  house,  did  not  dream  of 
associating  with  his  comrades  outside.  Never  had  he 
felt  himself  so  devoted  to  James  Burbank. 

All  was  ready  in  the  garrison.  On  what  side  was  the 
attack  to  come  ?  If  the  assailants  appeared  on  the 
northern  side  the  defence  could  be  most  easily  conducted. 
If,  on  the  contrary,  they  attacked  on  the  river-front,  the 
defence  would  be  more  difficult,  owing  to  Oamdless  Bay 
being  open  on  that  side.  A  landing  is  always  a  difficult 
operation,  it  is  true,  and,  under  any  circumstances,  it 
would  require  a  good  many  boats  to  transport  an  armed 
band  from  one  bank  of  the  St.  John's  to  the  other.  Thus 
said  Burbank,  Carrol,  and  Stannard  as  they  watched  the 
return  of  the  scouts  who  had  been  sent  to  the  boundary 
of  the  plantation.  It  would  not  do  to  be  in  the  dark  as 
to  the  manner  of  attack. 

About  half -past  four  in  the  evening  the  scouts  returned 
from  the  northern  side  of  the  estate  and  made  their  re- 
port. 

A  column  of  armed  men  were  advancing  in  that  direc- 
tion. Was  this  a  detaôhment  of  the  county  militia  or 
only  a  division  of  the  mob,  attracted  by  the  hope  of  pil- 
lage, and  charged  with  the  execution  of  Texar's  decree 
concerning  the  freed  sUves  ?   In  any  case,  the  çolumu 


THE  MOENING  OF  THE  2ND  OF  MAECH.  93 

Was  a  thousand  strong,  and  nothing  could  be  done  against 
it  with  the  force  on  the  plantation.  It  might  perhaps  be 
hoped  that,  if  the  palisades  were  carried  by  assault.  Castle 
House  would  offer  a  longer  and  more  serious  resistance. 

It  was  evident  that  the  column  had  avoided  a  landing 
under  difficulties  in  the  little  harbour  of  Camdless  Bay, 
and  had  crossed  the  river  below  J acksonville  in  some  fifty 
boats,  three  or  four  journeys  being  sufficient  to  ferry  it 
over.  And  Burbank's  precaution  of  collecting  his  men 
within  the  palisades  had  been  a  wise  one,  for  it  would 
have  been  impossible  for  him  to  defend  his  frontier 
against  such  an  army. 

Who  was  at  the  head  of  the  assailants— Texar  in  per- 
son ?  Probably  not.  At  the  time  when  the  approach  of 
the  Federals  was  threatened  the  Spaniard  might  consider 
it  too  risky  to  place  himself  at  the  head  of  his  men.  If 
he  had  done  so,  it  would  be  because,  when  his  work  of 
vengeance  was  accomplished,  the  plantation  devastated, 
the  Burbanks  massacred  or  fallen  into  his  hands,  he  had 
made  up  his  mind  to  escape  to  the  south,  perhaps  even  to 
the  Everglades  (the  backwoods  of  Southern  Florida), 
where  it  would  be  difficult  to  get  at  him. 

This  was  the  most  serious  of  the  possibilities,  and  Bur- 
bank  had  given  it  anxious  thought.  Hence  it  was  that 
he  had  decided  to  put  in  safety  his  wife  and  child,  and 
Alice  Stannard,  entrusted  to  the  devotion  of  Zermah,  at 
Cedar  Rock,  which  was  about  a  mile  above  Camdless  Bay. 
If  they  had  to  abandon  Castle  House  to  the  assailants,  he 
and  his  friends  could  there  rejoin  the  family,  and  wait 
till  safety  was  assured  to  the  honest  people  of  Florida 
under  the  protection  of  the  Federal  army. 

And  so  a  boat  had  been  hidden  in  the  reeds  of  the  St. 
John%  and  left  to  the  keeping  of  two  negroes  at  the  end 
of  the  tunnel  which  led  from  the  house  to  Marine  Creek. 
But  before  the  parting  took  place,  it  would  be  necessary  to 
defend  the  house  for  a  few  hours — at  least  until  nightfall, 
when,  in  the  darkness,  the  boat  could  go  up  the  river  in 
secret,  without  risk  of  pursuit  from  the  suspicious-looking 
canoes  that  were  prowling  about  in  such  numbers. 


94 


tbxar's  eevenge. 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  OF  THE   2KD  OF  MARCH. 

James  Burbaiï"k,  with  his  companions,  and  most  of  the 
blacks  were  ready  for  the  fight.  He  had  now  nothing  to 
do  but  to  wait.  His  arrangements  were  to  make  his  first 
stand  at  the  palisades  round  the  private  park,  and  then,  if 
driven  back,  to  make  another  stand  behind  the  walls  of 
Castle  House. 

About  five  o^clock  the  increasing  tumult  showed  that 
the  assailants  were  not  far  off.  From  the  shouting  it  was 
only  too  easy  to  understand  that  they  were  in  possession 
of  ibhe  northern  part  of  the  estate.  On  the  right,  thick 
columns  of  smoke  began  to  rise  above  the  trees.  The 
sawmills  had  been  set  on  fire,  and  the  barracoons,  after 
being  pillaged,  were  in  fiâmes.  The  poor  people  had  not 
had  time  to  put  in  safety  the  few  things  that  the  act  of 
liberation  had  made  their  own  the  evening  before;  and 
loud  were  the  cries  of  despair  and  anger  that  answered  the 
«bouts  of  the  marauders. 

Gradually  the  shouters  approached  Castle  House.  A 
strange  light  appeared  in  the  northern  horizon,  as  if  the 
sun  was  setting  in  that  direction.  Occasional  puffs  of 
warm  smoky  air  swept  up  against  the  hodse.  Violent  det- 
onations produced  by  the  burning  of  the  dry  wood  in  the 
workshops  were  heard  every  now  and  then.  Once  a  louder 
explosion  than  the  rest  showed  that  the  boiler  at  one  of 
the  sawmills  had  been  blown  up.  Devastation  in  all  its 
horrors  was  evidently  in  progress. 

Burbank,  Carrol,  and  Stannard  were  at  the  gate  in'  the 
palisades.  There  they  received  and  disposed  of  the  last 
detachment  of  negroes  that  were  gradually  coming  in. 
The  assailants  might  appear  at  any  moment.  The  increas- 
ing crackle  of  the  musketry  showed  that  they  could  not 
be  far  off  from  the  ring,  which  was  easy  of  assault,  for  the 
nearest  trees  were  not  fifty  yards  away.  The  Confeder- 
ates could  keep  in  cover  to  the  last  moment;  and  the  bul- 


THE  EVENING  OP  THE  2ND  OF  MAECH.  95 

lets  began  to  rain  on  the  palisades,  while  the  rifles  re- 
mained invisible. 

After  consideration  it  was  thought  best  to  withdraw  all 
the  men  within  the  fortress.  There  the  armed  negroes 
would  be  less  exposed,  as  they  could  fire  between  the 
angles  at  the  top  of  the  timbers;  and  when  the  assailants 
tried  to  cross  the  stream  and  carry  the  stronghold  by 
storm,  they  might  manage  to  repulse  them. 

The  negroes  were  all  withdrawn,  and  the  gate  was  about 
to  be  shut,  when  James  Burbank,  throwing  a  last  glance 
around  without,  caught  sight  of  a  man  at  full  run  towards 
him,  as  if  seeking  safety  amongst  the  defenders  of  Castle 
House.  A  few  shots  were  aimed  at  him  from  the  woods 
close  by,  but  did  not  hit  him.  With  a  bound  he  jumped 
on  the  drawbridge  and  was  in  safety  within  the  palisades. 
The  gate  was  immediately  shut  and  firmly  fastened 
Who  are  you  r  asked  James  Burbank. 
One  of  the  servants  of  Mr.  Harvey,  3^our  correspond- 
ent at  Jacksonville." 

"'Did  Mr.  Harvey  send  you  here  with  a  message  ?" 
Yes,  and  as  the  river  was  guarded,  I  could  not  cross 
it  hereabouts." 

''And  you  came  with  the  militia  without  beinff  sus- 
pected ?"  ^ 

"Yes.  They  are  followed  by  a  mob  of  looters.  I 
came  with  them,  and  as  soon  as  I  was  within  range,  I  ran 
and  risked  a  few  shots." 

Good,  my  friend  !  Thanks  !  You  have  Mr.  Harvey's 
message  ?" 

''Yes,  Mr.  Burbank.  Here  it  is." 
Burbank  took  the  letter  and  read  it.  Mr.  Harvey  said 
he  might  put  implicit  confidence  in  his  messenger,  John 
Bruce,  of  whose  sincerity  there  could  be  no  doubt.  After 
hearing  the  news  he  brought,  Mr.  Burbank  would  see  what 
was  best  to  be  done. 

At  this  instant  a  volley  was  heard  from  without.  There 
was  not  a  moment  to  lose. 

"  What  would  Mr.  Harvey  have  me  understand  ?"  asked 
Burbank. 

"That  in  the  first  place," said  Bruce,  "  the  armed  mob 
which  is  attacking  Camdless  Bay  is  from  fourteen  to  fifteen 
hundred  strong."  . 


96 


texar's  revenge. 


I  did  not  reckon  them  at  less.  What  next  ?  Is  Texar 
at  their  head  ?"  *  . 

"  Mr.  Harvey  found  it  impossible  to  ascertam.  One 
thing  is  certain,  and  that  is  that  Texar  has  not  been  at 
Jacksonville  for  the  last  fourr-and-twenty  hours  !" 

"That  ought  to  indicate  some  new  scheme  of  the 
scoundrel's,"  said  Burbank. 

Yes/'  answered  Bruce.  "  That  is  what  Mr.  Harvey 
thinks.  '  Besides,  Texar  need  not  be  there  to  execute  the 
order  as  to  setting  adrift  the  freed  slaves—" 

"  Setting  them  adrift  !"  exclaimed  Burbank.  "  Settmg 
them  adrift  and  helping  them  in  incendiarism  and  rob- 
b  cry  " 

"And  Mr.  Harvey  thinks  that  while  there  is  time,  you 
would  do  well  to  put  your  family  in  ^safety  by  sending 
them  away  at  once  from  Castle  House." 

"  Castle  House,"  said  Burbank,  "  can  be  defended,  and 
we  will  only  leave  it  when  it  is  untenable.  Is  there  any 
fresh  news  from  Jacksonville  ?" 

"  None." 

"Have  not  the  Federal  troops  made  any  movement 
into  Florida  ?"  -,  * 

"None  since  they  occupied  Fernandma  and  the  Bay  of 
St.  Mary's." 

-     "  And  what  is  the  chief  reason  of  your  bemg  sent 

"  To  tell  you  that  the  dispersal  of  the  slaves  was  only  a 

pretext  got  up  by  Texar  to  enable  him  to  lay  waste  the 

plantation,  and  make  you  his  prisoner." 

"  You  do  not  know  if  Texar  is  at  the  head  of  these 

rascals 

"No",  Mr.  Burbank.  Mr.  Harvey  tried  to  find  out, 
but  could  not.  And  I  have  tried  since  I  left  Jackson- 
ville, but  without  success." 

"  Are  there  many  of  the  militia  with  this  mob?' 

"  A  hundred,  at  the  outside,"  replied  Bruce,  "but  the 
mob  is  composed  of  the  very  worst  characters.  Texar  had 
them  supplied  with  weapons,  and  they  will  not  stop  at 
any  excess.  I  repeat,  Mr.  Burbank,  Mr.  Harvey's  opm- 
ion  is  that  you  should  abandon  Castle  House  at  once. 
He  ordered  me  to  invite  you  to  his  cottage  at  Hampton 
Bed.  It  is  about  a  dozen  miles  up  stream  on  the  right 
bank,  and  there  you  would  be  s^f e  for  some  days—" 


THE  EVEKIKG  OP  THE  2Kt)  OP  MARCH.  97 


"Yes,  I  know/' 
I  could  take  you  and  your  family  there  without  risk 
of  discovery,  if  you  will  go  at  once,  before  retreat  is  im- 
possible." 

"  I  thank  Mr.  Harvey,  and  you  too,  my  friend, said 
Burbank,  "but  we  have  not  yet  come  to  that.'' 

"As  you  wish,  Mr.  Burbank,"  answered  Bruce.  "I 
shall  none  the  less  remain  until  you  require  my  services." 

The  attack,  which  now  began,  required  all  James  Bur- 
bank's  attention. 

A  violent  fusillade  burst  out,  although  the  assailants 
could  not  be  seen  owing  to  the  shelter  of  the  trees.  The 
bullets  rained  on  the  palisades,  but  did  little  damage. 
Unfortunately,  Burbank  and  his  companions  could  only 
reply  feebly,  having  only  forty  guns  amongst  them. 
Being  stationed  in  the  best  positions  for  firing  effectively, 
their  shots  did  more  '  execution  than  those  of  the  militia- 
men at  the  head  of  the  column,  a  few  of  whom  were  hit, 
though  hidden  in  the  wood. 

This  long-range  fight  lasted  for  about  half  an  hour, 
rather  to  the  advantage  of  the  defenders.  Then  the  as- 
sailants rushed  at  the  palisades  to  storm  them.  As  the 
attack  was  to  be  delivered  on  several  sides  at  once,  they 
brought  with  them  planks  and  beams  from  the  work- 
shops, now  in  flames.  In  twenty  places  these  beams  were 
thrown  across  the  stream,  and  over  them  rushed  the 
Spaniard's  men  to  the  foot  of  the  palisades,  losing  several 
of  their  number  in  killed  and  wounded.  And  then  they 
climbed  up  the  planks  and  hoisted  one  another  up;  but 
they  did  not  succeed  in  getting  over.  The  negroes,  in^ 
furiated  against  the  incendiaries,  repulsed  them  with 
great  bravery.  But  it  was  evident  that  the  defenders  of 
Camdless  Bay  could  not  for  long  hold  out  at  all  points, 
against  the  murderous  foe.  Until  nightfall  they  might 
keep  them  at  bay,  providing  they  were  not  seriously 
wounded.  Burbank  and  Stannard  had,  however,  not 
been  touched.  Carrol  alone  had  been  hit,  by  a  ball  that 
tore  open  his  shoulder.  He  had  to  retire  to  the  hall, 
where  Mrs.  Burbank,  Alice,  and  Z«rmah  gave  him  every 
attention. 

But  night  was  coming  to  the  help  of  the  besiegers. 
Under  cover  of  the  darkness  some  fifty  of  the  most  de- 


termined  amongst  them  ran  up  to  the  gate,  axe  in  hand. 
Probably  they  would  not  have  been  able  to  force  it  had 
not  a  breach  been  opened  by  a  daring  manœuvre. 

A  part  of  the  outbuildings  suddenly  took  fire,  and  the 
flames,  fed  by  the  dry  wood,  seized  on  the  palisades 
against  which  the  buildmg  leant. 

Burbank  rushed  towards  the  fire,  if  not  to  put  it  out, 
at  least  to  defend  the  breach. 

By  the  light  of  the  flames  he  saw  a  man  run  through 
the  smoke,  climb  the  palisades,  and  escape  over  the 
planks  across  the  stream. 

It  was  one  of  the  assailants,  who  had  penetrated  into 
the  park  on  the  St.  John^s  side,  from  among  the  reeds. 
Unseen,  he  had  entered  the  stables,  and  at  the  risk  of 
perishing  in  the  flames,  had  set  fire  to  some  trusses  of 
straw. 

A  breach  was  thus  opened.  In  vain  Burbank  and  his 
companions  endeavoured  to  bar  the  way.  A  mass  of  as- 
sailants threw  themselves  into  it,  and  the  jjark  was  in- 
vaded by  several  hundred  men. 

Many  fell  in  the  hand-to-hand  fight.  The  noise  of  the 
firing  was  heard  on  all  sides.  Soon  Castle  House  ^vas 
entirely  surrounded,  while  the  negroes,  overwhelmed  by 
the  numbers,  were  forced  out  of  the  park  to  take  flight 
in  the  woods  of  Camdless  Bay.  They  had  fought  as  long 
as  they  could,  with  courage  and  devotion;  but  if  they 
had  resisted  longer,  they  would  have  been  massacred  to 
the  last  man. 

Burbank,  Stannard,  Perry,  the  assistant-overseers, 
John, Bruce,  who  had  fought  bravely,  and  a  few  blacks 
had  to  take  refuge  in  Castle  House. 

It  was  then  nearly  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The 
night  was  dark  in  the  west.  In  the  north  the  sky  was 
ablaze  with  the  glare  of  the  conflagration. 

Burbank  and  Stannard  came  hurriedly  into  the  house. 

"  You  must  escape,"  said  Burbank.  You  must  go  at 
once.  Whether  the  thieves  force  their  way  in,  or  are 
kept  outside  till  we  are  obliged  to  surrender,  there  is  dan- 
ger in  your  remaining.  The  boat  is  ready.  It  is  time  to 
part.  My  wife,  Alice.  I  implore  you  to  follow  Zermah 
with  Dy  to  Cedar  Rock.  There  you  will  be  in  safety, 
and  if  we  are  compelled  to  escape  in  our  turn,  we  will 
find  you  there,  we  will  join  you." 


[thê  îjveniîtg  of  the  2nd  op  march. 


99 


My  father/^  said  Alice,  "  come  with  us,  and  you  too, 
Mr.  Burbank." 

Yes,  James  !   Yes  !    Come     said  Mrs.  Burbank. 
!  I"  answered  Burbank,  ^'I  abandon  Castle  House  to 
these  scoundrels  !   Never,  while  resistance  is  possible  ! 
We  can  hold  out  for  some  time  yet.    And  when  you  are 
in  safety  we  shall  be  stronger  to  defend  ourselves  I" 
"James  !" 
"  It  is  necessary  !" 

A  terrible  tumult  was  heard  as  he  spoke.  The  door 
.resounded  with  the  blows  dealt  on  it  by  the  assailants, 
who  were  attacking  the  principal  or  river  front  of  the 
house. 

"Go!"  exclaimed  Burbank.  "The  night  is  already 
dark;  they  will  not  see  you  in  the  shadow  !  Go  !  you 
are  only  paralyzing  us  by  remaining  here  !  For  God's 
sake,  go  !" 

Zermah  went  first,  holding  little  Dy  by  the  hand. 
Mrs.  Burbank  tore  herself  from  her  husband's  arms, 
Alice  left  her  father's.  They  disappeared  down  the 
staircase  which  led  below  the  ground  into  the  tunnel  to 
Marine  Creek. 

"And  now,"  said  Burbank,  addressing  himself  to 
Perry,  the  assistant-overseers,  and  the  few  negroes  re- 
maining, "  now,  my  friends,  we  must  resist  to  the  death." 

Then  they  all  ascended  the  grand  staircase  from  the 
hall,  and  took  up  their  positions  at  the  windows  on  the 
first  floor.  There,  to  the  hundreds  of  bullets  that  honey- 
combed the  front  of  the  house,  they  answered  by  fewer 
but  more  effective  discharges,  firing,  as  they  did,  into  the 
mass  of  the  assailants,  who  came  on  to  force  their  way 
through  the  door  either  by  axe  or  flame.  There  was  no 
one  this  time  to  open  a  breach  into  the  house.  Such  an 
attempt  as  that  against  the  wooden  palisades  would  have 
been  useless  against  stone  walls. 

Nevertheless,  a  score  of  men,  stealing  along  in  the 
darkness,  which  now  was  profound,  gathered  on  the  steps. 
The  door  was  then  attacked  furiously.  It  needed  all  its 
solidity  to  withstand  the  blows  of  the  picks  and  axes. 
The  attempt  cost  many  of  the  assailants  their  lives,  for 
the  position  of  the  loopholes  admitted  of  a  cross  fire  on 
to  the  step. 


loo 


TEXAR^S  REVENGE. 


And  ndw  something  happened  to  make  matters  worse. 
Ammunition  began  to  fail.  Burbank,  his  friends  and 
overseers,  and  the  blacks,  armed  with  guns,  had  used  the 
greater  part  during  the  three  hours  the  assault  had  lasted. 
If  they  had  to  hold  out  much  longer,  how  could  they  do 
it  after  the  last  cartridges  had  gone  ?  Would  they  have 
to  abandon  Castle  House  to  the  mob,  who  would  leave 
nothing  of  it  but  ruins  ? 

And  this  would  certainly  have  to  be  done  if  the  assail- 
ants broke  in  the  door,,  which  had  already  begun  to  shake. 
Burbank  saw  this,  but  he  resolved  to  wait  till  the  last. 
At  any  moment  might  not  a  diversion  take  place  ? 
There  was  now  nothing  to  fear  for  Mrs.  Burbank,  his 
daughter,  nor  Alice  Stannard.  And  as  men  they  could 
fight  to  the  end  against  this  rabble  of  murderers,  incen- 
diaries, and  thieves. 

"  We  have  still  ammunition  for  an  hour,''  said  Bur- 
bank. "  Use  it  all,  my  friends,  and  don't  let  us  give  up 
Castle  House." 

He  had  hardly  finished  speaking  when  a  loud  report 
was  heard  in  the  distance. 

''A  cannon-shot  !"  he  exclaimed. 

Another  report  was  heard  to  the  westward,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river. 

"A  second  shot  !"  said  Stannard. 
''Listen  !"  said  Burbank. 

A  third  report  was  heard,  the  wind  bringing  it  more 
distinctly  to  Castle  House. 

"Is  that  a  signal  to  recall  the  assailants  to  the  right 
bank  ?"  asked  Stannard. 

Perhaps,"  said  Bruce.  "It  is  possible  that  there  has 
been  an  alarm  over  there.  " 

"Yes,"  said  the  overseer;  "and  if  these  cannon-shots 
have  not  been  fired  from  Jacksonville — " 

"They  have  been  fired  from  the  Federal  fleet  !"  said 
Burbank.  "  Has  the  flotilla  forced  the  entrance  of  the 
St.  John's  and  mounted  the  river  ?" 

And  there  was  nothing  impossible  in  Commodore  Du- 
pont's  being  now  master  of  the  river,  at  least  in  the  lower 
part  of  its  course. 

But  it  was  not  so.  The  three  gunshots  had  been  fired 
from  the  battery  at  Jacksonville;  that  was  quite  evident. 


tfiE  fiVÉNiKÔ  OF  THE  ^ND  MAËCIÎ. 


101 


as  no  more  firing  was  heard.  There  had  been  no  engage- 
ment between  the  Northerners  and  Confederates  on  the 
St.  John's  or  in  the  plains  of  Duval  county. 

And  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  this  had  been  the  sig- 
nal of  recall  to  the  commander  of  the  militia  when  Perry, 
who  was  stationed  at  one  of  the  side  loopholes,  exclaimed— 
"  They  are  retiring  !    They  are  retiring  !" 
Burbank  and  his  companions  hurried  to  the  central  win- 
dow, which  they  opened.  ; 

The  sounds  of  the  axe  were  no  longer  heard  against  the 
door.  Not  one  of  the  assailants  was  in  sight.  If  their 
shouts  and  yells  were  still  heard  in  the  air,  they  were 
heard  further  and  further  away. 

Evidently  something  had  happened  to  oblige  the  author- 
ities at  Jacksonville  to  recall  this  mob  to  the  other  bank 
of  the  St.  John's.  Doubtless  it  had  been  agreed  that  three 
gunshots  should  be  fired  in  case  any  movement  of  the 
squadron  should  threaten  the  Confederate  position. 

So  the  assailants  had  abruptly  abandoned  their  final  as- 
sault, and  across  the  devastated  fields  of  the  estate  had 
taken  their  way,  lighted  by  the  fires  they  had  kindled.  An 
hour  later  they  re-crossed  the  river  two  miles  below  Gamd- 
less  Bay,  where  the  boats  were  waiting  for  them. 

Soon  their  shouts  died  away  in  the  distance.  To  the 
uproar  succeeded  absolute  silence.  It  was  as  the  silence 
of  death  over  the  plantation. 

It  was  then  half-past  nine  o'clock.  Burbank  and  his 
companions  went  downstairs  to  the  hall.  There  lay  Ed- 
ward Carrol,  stretched  on  the  sofa,  slightly  wounded; 
and  somewhat  weakened  by  the  loss  of  blood. 

They  told  him  what  had  happened  since  the  signal  from 
Jacksonville.  For  the  moment,  at  least,  Castle  House  had 
nothing  to  fear  from  Texar's  gang. 

*'Yes,"  said  James  Burbank.  *'But  the  scoundrel 
wished  to  disperse  my  liberated  slaves,  and  they  are  dis- 
persed !  He  wished  lay  waste  the  plantation  in  revenge, 
and  only  its  ruins  are  left." 

*^ James,"  said  Walter  Stannard,  ''worse  misfortunes 
might  still  happen  to  us.  None  of  us  fell  in  defending 
Castle  House;  but  your  wife,  your  daughter,  and  my 
daughter  might  have  passed  into  the  hands  of  these  ras- 
cals, and  they  are  safe." 


102 


Bexar's  eevengè. 


''You  are  right,  Stannard,  and  God  be  praised  for  it  ! 
What  has  been  done  by  Texar's  orders  shall  not  go  unpun- 
ished, and  I  will  have  justice  to  the  last  drop  of  his  blood." 

It  is  a  pity,"  said  Carrol,  ''that  Mrs.  Burbank,  Alice, 
Dy,  and  Zermah  left  us  !  I  know  we  seemed  to  be  in 
great  danger  then;  but  I  would  rather  now  they  were 
here."  ^ 

"Before  the  morning,"  said  Burbank,  "I  will  rejoin 
them.  They  will  be  dreadfully  anxious,  and  we  must  set 
their  minds  at  rest.  I  will  then  see  if  we  can  bring  them 
back  to  Camdless  Bay,  or  leave  them  for  a  day  or  two  at 
Cedar  Rock."  ^ 

"  Yes,"  said  Stannard.  "  We  must  not  be  hasty.  All 
may  not  be  over;  and  as  long  as  Jacksonville  is  under 
Texar's  control  we  have  something  to  fear." 

"  That  is  why  I  will  act  prudently,"  answered  Burbank. 
"  Perry,  you  will  see  that  a  boat  is  ready  a  little  before 
daybreak.    I  shall  only  want  one  man  to  go  with  me — " 

A  cry  of  grief,  a  shout  of  despair,  suddenly  interrupted 
him. 

The  cry  came  from  that  part  of  the  park  where  the 
lawn  lay  in  front  of  the  house.  It  was  immediately  fol- 
lowed by  the  words — 

"Father!  Father!" 

"  My  daaghter's  voice  !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Stannard. 

"  What  new  misfortune?"  asked  Burbank.  And  open- 
ing the  door  they  rushed  out. 

Alice  was  standing  a  few  yards  away,  and  at  her  feet 
lay  Mrs.  Burbank. 

Neither  Dy  nor  Zermah  were  with  them. 

"  My  child  !"  exclaimed  Burbank.  At  the  sound  of  his 
voice  his  wife  rose.  She  could  not  speak.  She  stretched 
out  her  arms  towards  the  river. 

"  Carried  off  ?    Carried  off  ?" 

"Yes  !  by  Texar  !"  said  Alice. 

And  then  she  fell  senseless  by  Mrs.  Burbank's  side. 


TfiÉ  Six  î)AlrS  THAT  FOLtOWfiî). 


103 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  SIX  DAYS  THAT  TOLLOWED. 

When  Mrs.  Burbank  and  Alice  were  in  the  tunnel  lead- 
ing to  Marine  Creek,  Zermah  was  in  front.  The  slave 
held  the  little  girl  with  one  hand;  with  the  other  she  car- 
ried a  lantern,  by  whose  feeble  light  they  walked.  When 
she  reached  the  end  of  the  tunnel  Zermah  asked  Mrs.  Bur- 
bank  to  wait  for  her.  She  intended  to  make  sure  that  the 
boat  and  the  two  negroes  that  were  to  take  them  to  Cedar 
Eock  were  at  their  post.  Opening  the  door  at  the  end  of 
the  tunnel  she  stepped  out  towards  the  river. 

For  a  minute — only  a  minute — Mrs.  Burbank  and  Alice 
waited  for  Zermah's  return,  when  Alice  noticed  that  Dy 
was  not  with  them. 

Dy  !  Dy  !"  shouted  Mrs.  Burbank,  at  the  risk  of  be- 
traying her  presence. 

The  child  did  not  answer.  Accustomed  to  follow  Zer- 
mah, she  had  gone  with  her  out  of  the  tunnel  towards  the 
creek  before  her  mother  had  noticed  her. 

Suddenly  a  groaning  was  heard.  Fearing  some  new 
danger,  and  thinking  not  for  a  moment  of  their  own 
safety,  they  ran  out  to  thé  bank  of  the  creek,  and  reached 
it  just  in  time  to  see  a  boat  disappearing  in  the  darkness. 

"  Help  !    Help  !    It  is  Texar  !"  shouted  Zermah. 
Texar  !    Texar  !"  shouted  Alice  in  reply.    And  with 
her  hand  she  pointed  to  the  Spaniard,  revealed  by  the  re- 
flection of  the  fires  at  Camdless  Bay.    He  was  standing 
upright  in  the  boat  which  rapidly  shot  away. 

Then  all  was  silent. 

The  .two  negroes  with  their  throats  cut  lay  dead  on  the 
ground. 

Then  Mrs.  Burbank,  in  divstraction,  followed  by  Alice 
who  in  vain  tried  to  stop  her,  ran  along  the  bank,  calling 
after  her  little  daughter.  No  cry  answered  hers.  The 
boat  had  become  invisible,  either  because  the  gloom  had 


m 


veiled  it  from  her  sight,  or  because  it  had  crossed  the 
river  to  some  point  on  the  left  bank. 

For  an  hour  this  vain  pursuit  continued.  At  last  Mrs 
Burbank  fell  exhausted.  Alice,  with  extraordinary 
energy,  helped  the  unfortunate  mother  to  rise,  supported 
her,  and  almost  carried  her.  In  the  distance,  in  the 
direction  of  Castle  House,  rang  out  the  reports  of  the 
tirearms,  mingled  every  now  and  then  with  the  terrible 
^  i?.  }  besiegers,  But  it  was  necessary  to  go  back 
in  that  direction,  to  try  and  get  back  to  the  house  along 
the  tunnel,  to  open  the  door  which  communicated  with 
the  underground  stairs.  When  she  reached  that  spot 
how  would  Alice  make  herself  heard  ? 

She  dragged  Mrs.  Burbank  along,  but  the  mother  was 
unconscious  of  what  she  was  doing.  Twenty  times  did 
they  stop  as  they  returned  along  the  riverside.  At  any 
instant  they  might  fall  into  the  hands  of  those  who  were 
wrecking  the  plantation.  Would  it  be  better  to  wait  till 
daylight?  But  how  in  this  place  could  she  give  Mrs. 
Burbank  the  attention  her  state  required?  And  so,  cost 
what  it  might,  Alice  resolved  to  get  back  to  Castle  House. 
And  as  the  winding  of  the  river  lengthened  the  way,  she 
thought  it  would  be  better  to  go  straight  across  the  fields, 
guided  by  the  light  of  the  burning  barracoons.  This  she 
did,  and  thus  it  was  she  came  near  the  house. 

There  Mrs.  Burbank  fell  motionless  at  her  feet.  She 
could  support  her  no  longer. 

By  this  time  the  detachment  of  militia,  followed  bv  the 
horde  of  pillagers,  had  given  up  the  assault,  and  were  far 
from  the  palisades.  Not  a  shout  was  heard  within  or 
vnthout.  Alice  imagined  that  the  assailants  had  captured 
the  house  and  abandoned  it  without  leaving  one  of  its 
defenders  alive.  Supreme  was  her  anguish  ;  her  strength 
failed  her,  and  she,  too,  fell  to  the  ground,  while  a  last 
gi-oan  escaped  from  her,  a  last  appeal.  It  had  been  heard. 
Burbank  and  his  friends  had  rushed  out.  Now  they 
knew  all  that  had  passed  at  Marine  Creek.  What  mattered 
it  to  them  that  the  plunderers  had  gone?  What  mat- 
tered It  to  them  that  there  was  no  fear  of  falling  into 
their  power?  A  dreadful  misfortune  had  come  to  them. 
Little  Dy  was  in  the  hands  of  Texar  I 
This  was  the  story  told  by  Alice,  broken  with  many 


THE  SIX  DAYS  THAT  FOLLOWED. 


105 


sobs,  and  listened  to  by  Mrs.  Burbank,.who  had  returned 
to  consciousness  and  was  bathed  in  tears.  This  is  what 
was  learnt  by  Burbank,  Stannard,  Carrol,  Perry,  and 
their  few  companions.  The  poor  child,  taken  they  knew 
not  where,  in  the  hands  of  her  father's  cruellest  enemy  ! 
What  could  be  worse  than  that  ?  Could  the  future  have 
greater  griefs  in  store  ? 

All  were  overwhelmed  at  the  blow.  Mrs.  Burbank  was 
taken  to  her  room  and  laid  on  her  bed,  and  Alice  remained 
with  her. 

Below,  in  the  hall,  Burbank  and  his  friends  endeavoured 
to  devise  some  plan  by  which  they  could  recover  Dy  and 
rescue  Zermah  from  Texar's  hands.  The  devoted  half- 
breed  would  certainly  endeavour  to  defend  the  child  to  the 
death  !  But  as  the  prisoner  of  a  scoundrel  animated  by 
personal  hatred,  would  she  not  pay  with  her  life  for  the 
curses  she  hurled  at  him  ? 

Then  James  Burbank  blamed  himself  for  having  forced 
his  wife  to  leave  Castle  House,  for  having  arranged  such  a 
means  of  flight  which  had  turned  out  so  badly.  Wàs 
Texar's  presence  at  Marine  Creek  to  be  attributed  to 
chance  ?  Evidently  not.  Texar,  in  some  way  or  another, 
had  heard  of  the  existence  of  the  tunnel.  He  had  said 
to  himself  that  the  defenders  of  Camdless  Bay  would 
endeavour  to  escape  by  it  when  they  could  no  longer  hold 
out  in  the  house.  And,  after  leading  his  men  to  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  after  forcing  the  palisades,  and  driving 
Burbank  behind  the  walls  of  the  house,  there  could  be  no 
doubt  he  and  some  of  his  accomplices  had  posted  them- 
selves near  Marine  Creek.  There  he  had  suddenly  sur- 
prised the  two  blacks  in  charge  of  the  boat,  and  cut  their 
throats,  their  cries  being  unheard  amiu  the  tumult  made 
by  the  besiegers  of  the  house.  The  Spaniard  had  waited 
till  Zermah  appeared  with  little  Dy  close  behind.  Seeing 
them  alone,  he  probably  thought  that  neither  Mrs. 
Burbank,  nor  her  husband,  nor  her  friends  were  going  to 
leave  Castle  House.  Then  he  would  have  to  be  content 
with  this  prey,  and  had  seized  on  the  child  and  the  half- 
breed  to  carry  them  off  to  some  retreat  whence  it  would 
be  impossible  to  recover  them.  ' 

And  with  what  more  terrible  blow  could  the  scoundrel 
have  visited  the  Burbanks  ? 


106 


TEXAE's  EE  venge. 


A  horrible  night  was  passed  by  the  survivors.  Was 
there  not  a  chance  that  the  assailants  might  return  in 
greater  numbers  and  better  armed  ?  Fortunately,  they 
did  not.  When  the  day  broke  there  had  been  no  renewal 
of  the  attack. 

But  it  was  important  to  know  why  the  three  cannon- 
shots  had  been  fired  the  night  before,  and  why  the  assail- 
ants had  retired  when  one  effort  more— an  hour's  effort 
at  the  outside— would  have  given  them  the  house.  Was 
the  recall  due  to  some  demonstration  of  the  Federals  at 
the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's  ?  Had  Commodore  Dupont's 
ships  become  masters  of  Jacksonville  ?  Nothing  in  Bur- 
bank's  interest  could  be  more  desirable.  In  all  safety  he 
could  begin  his  search  to  recover  Dy  and  Zermah,  and 
openly  attack  Texar— if  the  Spaniard  had  not  retreated 
with  his  partisans— and  prosecute  him  as  the  promoter  of 
the  havoc  at  Camdless  Bay  and  the  double  abduction  of 
the  half-breed  and  child. 

This  time  no  such  aliU  was  possible  as  that  which  the 
Spaniard  had  produced  at  the  opening  of  this  history, 
when  he  appeared  before  the  magistrate  at  Saint  Augwstine. 
If  Texar  was  not  at  the  head  of  this  band  of  scoundrels 
who  had  invaded  Camdless  Bay— as  Mr.  Harvey's  mes- 
senger had  been  unable  to  ascertain— the  last  cry  of 
Zermah  had  only  too  clearly  revealed  the  part  he  took  in 
the  abduction.  And  had  not  Alice  recognized  him  as  the 
boat  was  rowing  away  ? 

Yes  !  Federal  justice  would  make  the  scoundrel  con- 
fess where  he  had  taken  his  victims,  and  punish  the  crimes 
which  he  could  not  deny. 

Unfortunately,  nothing  happened  to  confirm  this  hy- 
pothesis concerning  the  arrival  of  the  Northern  flotilla  in 
the  waters  of  the  St.  John's.  At  this  date,  the  3rd  of 
March,  no  ship  had  left  the  bay  of  St.  Mary's,  as  was  only 
too  clearly  ascertained  by  the  news  which  one  of  the 
assistant-overseers  brought  in  during  the  day  from  the 
othei  bank  of  the  river,  to  which  he  had  gone  to  inquire. 
No  vessel  had  appeared  off  Pablo  light.  The  whole  fleet 
was  employed  at  Fernandina  and  Fort  Clinch.  It  seemed 
as  though  Commodore  Dupont  could  only  advance  into 
the  centre  of  Florida  with  extreme  circumspection.  At 
Jacksonville  the  rioters  were  still  in  power.   After  the 


THE  SIX  DAYS  THAT  FOLLOWED. 


107 


expedition  to  Oamdless  Bay  the  Spaniard  had  again, 
appeared  in  the  town,  and  was  organizing  the  defence 
against  Stevens's  gunboats,  should  they  try  to  cross  the 
bar.  Doubtless  some  false  alarm  the  evening  before  had 
called  back  the  looters.  After  all,  was  not  Texar's 
vengeance  sufiScient,  now  that  the  plantation  had  been 
wasted,  the  factories  fired,  the  negroes  dispersed  in  the 
forests  with  nothing  but  the  ruins  of  the  barracoons  left 
to  them,  and  little  Dy  taken  away  from  her  father  and 
mother,  with  no  trace  as  to  where  she  had  gone  ? 

Of  this  James  Burbank  felt  only  too  certain,  when 
during  the  morning  he  and  Walter  Stannard  explored  the 
right  bank  of  the  river.  In  vain  they  searched  the  smaller 
creeks  for  some  clue  as  to  the  direction  taken  by  the  boat. 
The  search  could  at  the  best  be  but  incomplete,  unless 
the  left  bank  was  searched  as  well. 

But  at  this  time,  was  not  this  impossible  ?  Would  it 
not  be  necessary  to  wait  till  Texar  and  his  partisans  were 
reduced  to  impotence  by  the  arrival  of  the  Federals  ? 
With  Mrs.  Burbank  in  such  a  state,  Alice  unable  to  leave 
her,  and  Carrol  laid  up  for  some  days,  would  it  not  be 
imprudent  to  leave  them  alone  at  Castle  House,  when  the 
return  of  the  assailants  was  not  unlikely  ? 

And  what  was  even  more  maddening  was,  that  Burbank 
could  not  dream  of  proceeding  against  Texar,  either  for 
the  devastation  of  his  estate,  nor  the  abduction  of  Zermah 
and  his  daughter.  The  only  magistrate  to  whom  he  could 
address  himself  was  the  author  of  the  crime.  All  that 
could  be  done  was  to  wait  until  regular  justice  had  resumed 
its  course  at  Jacksonville. 

James,'''  said  Mr.  Stannard,  ''it  the  dangers  which 
threaten  your  child  are  terrible,  at  kast  Zermah  is  with 
her,  and  you  can  depend  on  her  devotion — " 

"Till  death— quite  so!'' said  Burbank.  "And  when 
will  Zermah  be  dead  ?" 

"  Listen,  my  dear'  James.  Consider  for  a  moment.  It 
is  not  Texar's  interest  to  proceed  to  such  extremities. 
He  hfts  not  yet  left  Jacksonville,  and  until  he  has  I  think 
his  victims  have  no  act  of  violence  to  fear.  Your  child 
will  be  a  guarantee,  a  hostage  against  the  reprisals  which 
he  has  to  guard  against,  not  only  from  you,  but  from  the 
Federals,  for  having  suspended,  the  regular  authorities  of 


108 


texae's  eevenge. 


Jacksonville,  and  devastated  a  Northerner's  plantation. 
It  is  his  interest  to  spare  them,  and  wait  till  Dupont  and 
Sherman  are  masters  of  the  territory  before  you  do  any- 
thing against  him/' 

And  when  will  that  be  ?"  asked  Burbank. 

To-morrow  !  To-day,  perhaps  !  I  tell  you,  Dy  is 
Texar's  safeguard.  It  is  for  that  purpose  he  took  the 
opportunity  of  carrying  her  off,  knowing  that  it  would 
also  break  your  heart,  my  poor  James;  and  the  scoundrel 
has  succeeded  only  too  well/^ 

V  Thus  reasoned  Mr.  Stannard,  and  he  had  good  grounds 
for  doing  so.  Would  he  convince  James  Burbank  ? 
Doubtless,  no.  Would  he  give  him  any  hope  ?  ]N"one.  It 
was  impossible.  But  Burbank  saw  that  he  must  force 
himself  to  talk  before  his  wife  as  Stannard  had  talked  to 
him.  Otherwise  she  would  not  survive  the  blow.  And 
when  he  reached  home,  he  made  much  use  of  the  argu- 
ments which  had  no  effect  upon  himself. 

Meanwhile,  Perry  and  his  assistant  overseers  visited 
Camdless  Bay.  It  was  a  heartrending  spectacle  which 
even  made  a  great  impression  on  Pygmalion,  who  accom- 
panied them.  The  ^^free  man''  had  never  dreamt  of 
following  the  freed  slaves  dispersed  by  Texar.  The  liberty 
to  sleep  in  the  woods  and  suffer  cold  and  hunger  seemed 
to  him  excessive.  As  he  preferred  to  remain  at  Castle 
House,  he  ought,  like  Zermah,  to  have  torn  up  his  act  of 
enfranchisement  to  gain  the  right  to  live  there. 

You  see,  Pyg  !"  said  Mr.  Perry,  "  the  plantation  is 
laid  waste,  our  workshops  are  in  ruins.  That  is  what  has 
been  the  cost  of  giving  liberty  to  people  of  your  colour." 

Mr.  Perry,"  replied  Pygmalion,    it  is  not  my  fault — " 

It  is  your  fault.  If  fellows  like  you  had  not  applauded 
the  speechifiers  who  thundered  against  slavery,  if  you  had 
protested  against  the  ideas  of  the  North,  if  you  had  taken 
arms  to  repulse  the  Federal  troops,  Mr.  Burbank  would 
never  have  to  think  of  freeing  you,  and  disaster  would 
never  have  come  to  Camdless  Bay." 

But  what  can  I  do  now  ?"  said  the  disconsolate  Pyg. 
What  can  I  do,  Mr.  Perry  ?" 

I  will  tell  you,  Pyg,  if  you  have  the  least  feeling  of 
justice  about  you.    You  are  free,  are  you  not  ?" 

It  seems  so," 


THE  SIX  DATS  THAT  FOLLOWED. 


109 


''And  consequently,  you  belonsrto  yourself 
''Certainly/' 

"  And  if  you  belong  to  yourself,  there  is  nothing  to  post 
you  from  doing  what  you  like  with  yourself  ?" 
"JS'othing,  Mr.  Perry.'' 

"Well,  in  your  place,  Pyg,  I  should  not  hesitate.  I 
would  go  to  the  nearest  plantation  and  again  become  a 
slave,  and  the  price  I  realized  by  my  sale  I  would  bring 
back  to  my  old  master,  to  indemnify  him  for  the  wrong  I 
did  him  when  he  set  me  free  !" 

Did  the  overseer  speak  seriously  ?  It  was  impossible  to 
know  what  nonsense  the  witty  man  might  talk  once  he 
had  mounted  his  hobby.  Pygamalion,  the  piteous  Pyg- 
malion, disconcerted,  irresolute,  abashed,  did  not  know 
what  to  reply. 

It  was  only  too  evident  that  James  Burbank's  act  of 
generosity  had  brought  misfortune  and  ruin  on  the  plan- 
tation. The  disaster  would  cost  him  a  considerable  amount 
of  money.  There  were  no  barracoons  left;  they  had  fallen 
after  they  had  been  sacked.  The  sawmills  and  workshops 
were  only  heaps  of  cinders  from  which  grey  wreaths  of 
smoke  still  rose.  In  place  of  the  stores  where  the  timber 
was  kept,  of  the  factories  where  the  cotton  was  heckled, 
of  the  hydraulic  presses  where  it  was  squeezed  into  bales, 
of  the  sugar-mills,  there  were  only  blackened  walls  ready 
to  fall,  and  where  the  chimney  of  the  factory  rose,  there 
was  now  but  a  mound  of  reddened  bricks.  The  fields  of 
coffee  and  rice,  the  kitchen  garden,  the  enclosures  for  the 
domestic  animals,  had  been  completely  laid  waste,  as  if  a 
herd  of  wild  beasts  had  ravaged  them  for  hours.  At  the 
sight  of  this  lamentable  spectacle,  Mr.  Perry  could  hardly 
contain  himself.  His  anger  escaped  in  threatening  words. 
Pygmalion  felt  anything  but  comfortable  at  the  fierce 
looks  the  overseer  gave  him;  and  he  ended  by  leaving,  to 
return  to  Castle  House,  in  order  that,  as  he  said,  he  might 
reflect  more  at  his  ease  on  the  proposition  as  to  selling 
himself,  which  the  overseer  had  made.  And,  doubtless, 
the  day  was  not  long  enough  for  his  reflection,  for  when 
evening  came,  he  was  still  undecided. 

During  the  day  a  few  of  the  old  slaves  returned  in  secret 
to  Camdless  Bay.  It  may  be  imagined  what  was  their 
distress  when  they  found  not  a  single  hut  undestroyed. 


no 


texae's  revenge. 


James  Burbank  gave  orders  that  as  much  as  possible 
should  be  done  for  them.  A  certain  number  were  lodged 
within  the  palisades  in  the  servants'  quarters  that  the 
fire  had  not  touched.  They  were,  at  first,  employed  in 
burying  their  companions,  who  had  died  in  the  defence 
of  the  house,  and  also  the  corpses  of  the  assailants  who 
had  fallen  in  the  attack — the  wounded  had  been  carried 
away  by  their  comrades.  And  they  also  buried  the  two 
negroes  who  had  been  killed  by  Texar  and  his  accomplices 
when  surprised  at  their  post  near  Marine  Creek. 

This  done,  James  Burbank  could  not  set  about  getting 
his  estate  again  into  order  nntil  the  question  between 
J^orth  and  South  was  settled  in  Florida.  '  Other  cares, 
equally  serio^s  but  very  different,  absorbed  his  attention 
night  and  day.  All  in  his  power  to  do  to  recover  some 
trace  of  his  little  daughter  he  did.  Mrs.  Burbank's  health 
was  in  a  precarious  state,  although  Alice  had  not  left  her 
for  a  moment,  and  watched  over  her  with  filial  solicitude  ; 
and  it  was  necessary  to  find  a  doctor  for  her. 

There  was  one  in  Jacksonville  who  possessed  the  full 
confidence  of  the  Burbanks;  and  as  soon  as  he  was  sent 
for  he  did  not  hesitate  to  come  to  Camdless  Bay.  He 
prescribed  a  few  remedies.  But  would  they  be  efficacious 
so  long  as  Dy  remained  unrestored  to  her  mother  ? 

Leaving  Carrol,  who  would  have  to  keep  to  his  room  for 
some  days,  Burbank  and  Stannard  went  out  each  day  to 
explore  both  banks  of  the  river.  They  searched  the  Isl- 
ands in  the  St.  John's;  they  asked  the  country  people; 
they  inquired  in  the  smallest  villages  in  the  county;  they 
promised  a  heavy.reward  to  any  one  who  would  bring 
them  any  clue.  Their  efforts  remained  useless.  How 
could  they  learn  what  was  going  on  in  Black  Creek  where 
the  Spaniard  hid  himself  ?  No  one  knew  of  it.  And, 
besides,  to  withdraw  his  victims  the  better  from  all  search, 
had  not  Texar  taken  them  further  up  the  river  ?  Was  not 
the  county  large  enough,  were  there  not  enough  hiding- 
places  in  the  vast  forests  in  the  centre,  amid  the  immense 
marshes  in  the  South  of  Florida,  in  the  region  of  the  inac- 
cessible Everglades,  for  Texar  to  hide  his  victims  so  that 
they  could  not  be  reached  ? 

At  the  same  time,  through  the  doctor  coming  to  Camd- 
less Bay.  Burbank  was  kept  informed  of  what  was  passing 
at  Jacksonville  and  in  the  north  of  Duval  county.. 


THE  SIX  DAYS  THAT  FOLLOWED. 


Ill 


The  Federals  had  made  no  new  demonstration.  Had 
special  instruetions  arrived  from  Washington  forbidding 
them  to  cross  the  frontier  ?  Such  a  proceeding  would  be 
disastrous  for  the  Unionists  in  the  South,  and  particularly 
so  for  James  Burbank. 

]S[evertheless,  Commodore  Dupont's  squadron  remained 
il)  the  estuary  of  the  St.  Mary's,  and  if  Texar's  men  had 
been  recalled  by  the  three  cannon-shots  fired  on  the  2nd  of 
March,  it  was  because  the  Jacksonville  authorities  had  been 
deceived  by  a  false  alarm;  and,  through  the  error,  Castle 
House  had  escaped  from  pillage  and  ruin. 

But  would  not  the  Spaniard  send  another  expedition  to 
complete  his  work,  seeing  that  James  Burbank  was  not  in 
his  hands  ?  An  unlikely  hypothesis  !  At  present,  the 
attack  on  Castle  House  and  the  carrying  off  of  Dy  and 
Zermah  were  probably  enough  for  him.  Besides,  some  of 
the  better- class  citizens  had  not  hesitated  to  show  their 
disapprobation  of  the  affair  at  Camdless  Bay,  and  their 
disgust  at  the  chief  of  the  Jacksonville  rioters,  although 
their  opinion  might  matter  little  to  Texar.  The  Spaniard 
was  more  powerful  than  ever  in  Duval  county.  His 
vagabonds  and  unscrupulous  adventurers  were  quite  at 
their  ease.  Each  day  they  gave  themselves  up  to  pleasures 
of  all  sorts,  degenerating  into  orgies.  The  noise  of  the 
merry-makings  even  reached  the  plantation;  and  the  sky 
glowed  with  the  public  illuminations,  which  might  be  taken 
for  the  light  of  another  incendiary  fire.  Moderate  men 
were  reduced  to  silence,  and  had  to  submit  to  the  yoke  of 
this  faction,  which  was  supported  by  the  populace  of  the 
county. 

The  temporary  inaction  of  the  Federal  army  oppor- 
tunely came  in  to  help  the  new  authorities,  who  profited 
by  it  to  spread  the  report  that  the  ISTortherners  would 
not  pass  the  frontier;  that  they  had  received  orders  to  re- 
treat into  Georgia  and  the  Carolijias;  that  Florida  would 
not  be  subjected  to  the  invasion  of  the  anti-slavery  troops; 
that  its  position  as  an  old  Spanish  colony  put  it  outside 
the  question  the  United  States  were  seeking  to  solve 
V  force  of  arms,  &c.,  &c.  And  in  all  the  counties  there 
was  produced  a  certain  current  favourable  rather  than 
contrary  to  the  ideas  which  the  partisans  of  violence  rep- 
resented,   This  was  apparent  in  man^  places,  particu- 


112 


texar's  revenge. 


larly  in  the  north,  on  the  Georgian  frontier,  where  the 
planters  with  Northern  sympathies  were  atrociously 
treated,  their  slaves  put  to  flight,  their  sawmills  and 
factories  destroyed  by  fire,  their  establishments  devas- 
tated by  the  Confederate  troops,  as  Oamdless  Bay  had 
just  been  by  the  populace  of  Jacksonville.  " 

It  did  not,  however,  seem^ — at  present  at  least — that 
thère  was  a  chance  of  the  plantation  being  again  invaded. 
But  much  did  James  Biirbank  chafe  at  the  delay  of  the 
Federals  in  making  themselves  masters  of  the  territory. 
As  things  stood,  nothing  could  be  done  against  Texar; 
either  to  bring  him  to  justice  for  what  could  not  be 
denied,  or  compel  him  to  reveal  the  hiding-place  of  Dy 
and  Zermah. 

Burbank  could  not  bring  himself  to  believe  that  the 
Federals  were  going  to  remain  quietly  on  the  frontier. 
Grilbert's  last  letter  had  expressly  stated  that  the  expe- 
dition of  Commodore  Dupont  and  Sherman  was  destined 
for  Florida.  Since  this  letter,  had  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment sent  different  orders  to  ,Edisto  Bay,  where  the 
squadron  was  waiting?  Had  a  success  of  the  Confeder- 
ate troops  in  Virginia  or  the  Carolinas  obliged  the  army 
of  the  Union  to  halt  in  its  march  to  the  South? 

Thus  passed  the  five  days  which  followed  the  attack  on 
Camdless  Bay.  There  was  no  news  of  a  movement  of 
the  Federals.  No  news  of  Dy  and  Zermah,  although 
Burbank  had  done  his  best  to  come  on  their  track,  and 
not  a  day  passed  without  some  fresh  effort. 

The  9th  of  March  had  come.  Edward  Carrol  had  com- 
pletely recovered.  He  was  now  fit  to  join  in  tlie  work  of 
his  friends.  Mrs.  Burbank  continued  extremely  weak. 
It  seemed  as  though  her  life  threatened  to  take  flight  with 
her  tears.  In  her  delirium  she  called  her  little  daughter 
in  heartrending  tones;  she  attempted  to  go  in  search  of 
her.  These  crises  were  followed  by  syncopes,  which  put 
her  life  in  danger.  Often  and  often  Alice  feared  that 
the  unhappy  mother  would  die  in  her  arms. 

A  war  rumour  reached  Jacksonville  on  the  morning  of 
the  9th  of  March.  Unfortunately,  it  was  calculated  to 
give  new  encouragement  to  the  partisans  of  Secession. 

The  Confederate  general.  Van  Dorn,  had  repulsed  the 
gojdiers  of  Çurtis  on  the  6th  of  March  ^t  the  bfi,ttle  gt 


THE  SÏX  BAYS  THAT  Î'OLLOWÉB.  llg 

Betonville,  in  Arkansas,  and  obliged  them  to  retreat. 
Really  this  was  an  engagement  with  the  rear-guard  of  a 
small  Northern  corps;  and  the  success  was  more  than 
compensated  for  a  few  days  afterwards  by  the  victory  of 
Pea  Ridge.  It,  however,  provoked  an  increase  of  insolence 
among  the  Southerners.  At  Jacksonville,  the  unimportant 
action  was  celebrated  as  a  complete  check  to  the  Federal 
army;  and  there  were  new  festivities  and  new  orgies,  the 
murmur  of  which  rolled  mournfully  over  Camdless  Bay. 

When  James  Burbank  returned,  about  six  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  from  his  exploration  of  the  left  bank  of  the  river, 
he  had  ascertained  the  following  facts  : 

A  native  of  Putnam  county  fancied  he  had  discovered 
some  trace  of  the  abduction  on  an  island  of  the  St.  John's 
a  few  miles  above  Black  Greek.  During  the  preceding 
night  this  man  thought  he  had  hearda  cry  of  despair,  and 
had  come  to  report  the  fact  to  James  Burbank.  Squambo, 
the  Indian,  Texar's  confidant,  had  been  seen  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood in  a  skiff.  There  was  no  doubt  about  the  In- 
dian's being  seen,  for  the  fact  was  confirmed  by  a  passen- 
ger on  board  the  Shannon,  who,  on  his  return  to  St. 
Augustine,  had  landed  during  the  day  at  Camdless  Bay. 

It  need  not  be  said  how  eagerly  James  Burbank  started 
on  the  track.  Carrol  and  two  negroes  accompanied  him 
in  the  boat  with  which  he  started  up  the  river.  They 
speedily  reached  the  island  in  question,  thoroughly 
searched  it,  and  visited  a  few  fishermen's  huts  that  did 
not  seem  to  have  been  recently  occupied.  Among  the 
,almost  impenetrable  underwood  in  the  interior  there  was 
not  a  vestige  of  human  beings.  There  was  nothing  on 
the  bank  to  show  that  a  boat  had  put  in.  Squambo 
could  nowhere  be  seen,  and  if  he  had  been  prowling  round 
the  island  he  had  probably  not  landed.  The  expedition 
was  thus  without  result,  like  the  others.  The  return  had 
to  be  made  to  the  plantation  with  the  knowledge  that  a 
false  track  had  been  followed.  In  the  evening,  Burbank, 
Stannard,  and  Carrol,  as  they  were  together  in  the  hall, 
talked  over  this  useless  search.  About  nine  o'clock, 
Alice,  having  left .  Mrs.  Burbank  asleep,  came  to  join 
them,  and  found  that  the  last  attempt  had  been  without 
result. 

The  night  was  to  be  a  dark  one.    The  moon,  in  its  first 


114 


quarter,  had  ali-eadj  disappeared  below  the  horizon.  A 
deep  silence  enveloped  Castle  House,  the  plantation,  and 
the  river.  The  few  blacks  in  the  servants'  apartments 
were  asleep.  When  the  silence  Avas  troubled  it  was  by 
the  distant  clamour  and  the  reports  of  the  fireworks  at 
Jacksonville,  where,  with  great  uproar,  the  people  were 
celebrating  the  successes  of  the  Confederates. 

Each  time  the  noise  was  heard  in  the  hall  another  blow 
was  struck  at  the  B urban ks. 

"We  ought  to  find  out  what  it  means,"  said  Carrol, 
"  and  see  if  the  Federals  really  have  renounced  their  plans 
on  Florida." 

"  Yes  !  It  must  be  done,"  answered  Stannard.  "We 
cannot  exist  in  this  uncertainty." 

"Well,"  said  Burbank,  "I  will  go  to  Fernandina  to- 
morrow— and  then  I  will  see — " 

At  this  moment  there  came  a  gentle  tap  on  the  front 
door  of  Castle  House,  on  the  side  facing  the  river. 

A  scream  escaped  from  Alice,  who  rushed  to  the  door. 
Burbank  vainly  tried  to  keep  the  girl  back.  And  as  no 
reply  had  come,  another  knock  was  heard,  this  time  more 
distinctly. 


CHAPTER  XIIL 

A  FEW  HOURS. 

James  Burbank  stepped  to  the  door.  He  did  not  ex- 
pect anybody.  It  might  be  some  important  news  from 
Jacksonville  brought  by  John  Bruce  from  his  correspond- 
dent,  Mr.  Harvey. 

A  third  time  there  came  a  knock,  and  from  a  more  im- 
patient hand. 

"Who  is  there  ?"  asked  James  Burbank. 

"I  am,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Gilbert  !"  exclaimed  Alice. 

She  was  not  mistaken.  Gilbert  at  Camdless  Bay!  Gil- 
bert appearing  among  his  people,  glad  to  come  and  pass 


A  f'ÈW  HOXJïiâ. 


116 


a  few  hours  with  them,  knowing  nothing,  doubtless,  of 
the  disasters  that  had  fallen  on  them! 

In  a  moment  the  young  lieutenant  was  in  his  father's 
arms;  while  the  man  who  accompanied  him  carefully  shut 
the  door,  after  taking  a  last  look  round  outside. 

It  was  Mars,  Zermah's  husband,  Gilbert  Burbank's  de- 
voted follower. 

After  embracing  his  father,  Gilbert  turned  round. 
Then,  seeing  Alice,  he  took  her  hand  and  clasped  it  with 
an  irresistible  movement  of  affection. 

*'My  mother!"  he  said.  "Where  is  mother?  Is  it 
true  that  she  is  dying  ?" 

"You  know  all,  then  ?"  said  James  Burbank, 

"  I  know  all:  the  plantation  laid  waste  by  the  Jackson- 
ville ruffians,  the  attack  on  Castle  House,  my  mother- 
dead  perhaps  !" 

The  young  man's  presence  in  the  county  where  he  ran 
such  peril  was  immediately  explained. 

This  is  what  had  happened: 

That  evening,  some  gunboats  from  Commodore  Du- 
pont's  squadron  had  come  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's. 
Ascending  the  river,  they  had  . had  to  stop  at  the  bar, 
four  miles  below  Jacksonville.  A  few  hours  later,  a 
man,  calling  himself  one  of  the  lighthouse-keepers  at 
Pablo,  had  boarded  Stevens's  gunboat,  on  which  Gilbert 
was  second  in  command.  The  man  had  related  all  that 
had  passed  at  Jacksonville,  including  the  attack  on  Camd- 
less  Bay,  the  dispersal  of  the  blacks,  and  the  serious  con- 
dition of  Mrs.  Burbank.  It  may  be  guessed  what  were 
Gilbert's  feelings  on  listening  to  the  story  of  these  de- 
plorable events. 

Then  he  was  seized  with  an  irresistible  desire  to  see  his 
mother.  With  the  permission  of  Commandant  Stevens 
he  had  left  the  flotilla  in  the  gig.  Accompanied  by  the 
faithful  Mars,  he  passed  unnoticed  in  the  darkness—by 
the  way  he  knew  so  well — and  landed  half  a  mile  below 
Camdless  Bay,  so  as  to  avoid  touching  at  the  pier,  which 
would  probably  be  watched. 

But  what  he  did  not  know,  and  could  not  know,  was 
that  he  had  fallen  into  a  snare  spread  by  Texar.  At  any 
price  the  Spaniard  desired  to  obtain  the  proof  required  by 
the  magistrates — the  proof  that  James  Burbank  was  in 


116 


texar's  revenge. 


correspondence  with  the  enemy.  To  entice  the  yottng 
lieutenant  to  Oamdless  Bay,  a  lighthouse-keeper  at  Pablo 
had  been  sent  to  acquaint  Gilbert  with  what  had  occurred 
at  Castle  House,  particularly  the  condition  of  his  mother. 
The  young  lieutenant  had  set  out,  as  we  know;  and  he 
had  been  watched  as  he  went  up  the  river.  As  he  glided 
along  by  the  reeds  that  bordered  the  high  bank  of  the  St. 
John's  he  had,  however,  thrown  the  Spaniard's  men  off 
the  track;  but  though  the  spies  had  not  seen  him  land 
below  Oamdless  Bay,  they  hoped  to  capture  him  on  his 
return,  particularly  as  all  that  part  of  the  river  was  under 
their  surveillance. 

Mother!"  continued  Gilbert,  "where  is  she?" 

"Here,  my  son!"  said  Mrs.  Burbank. 

She  had  just  appeared  on  the  landing  of  the  hall  stair- 
case; she  descended  slowly,  holding  the  rail,  and  fell  on  a 
couch,  while  Gilbert  covered  her  with  kisses. 

In  her  troubled  sleep  she  had  heard  the  knock  at  the 
door.  Recognizing  her  son's  voice,  she  had  collected 
sufficient  strength  to  get  up  and  meet  Gilbert,  to  weep 
with  him  and  the  others.  The  young  man  clasped  her  in 
his  arms. 

"Mother!  mother!"  said  he,  "I  see  you  again,  after 
all.  How  you  are  suffering!  But  you  live!  Ah!  we  will 
cure  you!  Yes!  These  evil  days  will  soon  end.  We 
shall  be  re-united— soon!  We  will  give  you  back  your 
health.  Fear  nothing  for  me,  mother.  No  one  knows 
that  Mars  and  I  are  here."  And  as  he  spoke,  Gilbert 
•saw  his  mother  was  fainting,  and  tried  to  revive  her  by 
his  caresses. 

But  Mars  seemed  to  understand  that  he  and  Gilbert  did 
not  know  the  full  extent  of  the  calamity.  James  Bur- 
bank,  Carrol,  and  Stannard  stood  silent  with  bôwed 
heads.  Alice  could  not  restrain  her  tears.  Dy  was  not 
there,  nor  was  Zermah,  who  ought  to  have  guessed  that 
her  husband  was  at  Camdless  Bay,  that  he  was  in  the 
house,  that  he  was  waiting  

So  with  his  heart  torn  by  anguish,  he  looked  into  all 
the  corners  of  the  hall,  and  then  asked  Mr.  Burbank,— 

"  Master,  what  is  the  matter?" 

At  this  moment  Gilbert  rose. 

"  And  Dy?"  he  asked.  "  Has  Dy  gone  to  bed?  Where 
Î3  my  little  sister?" 


À  PEW  Hôtrss. 


*'  Where  is  my  wife?"  said  Mars. 

An  instant  afterwards  the  young  officer  and  Mars  knew 
all.  In  coming  from  the  St,  John's,  from  the  place 
where  their  canoe  was  waiting  for  them,  they  had  seen 
enough  in  the  darkness  of  the  ruins  of  the  plantation. 
But  they  might  naturally  think  that,  with  the  disaster 
consequent  on  the  enfranchisement  of  the  blacks,  the 
limit  had  been  reached!  Now  nothing  was  hid  from 
them.  One  did  not  find  his  sister  at  home,  the  other  did 
not  find  his  wife,  and  no  one  could  tell  them  where  Texar 
had  hidden  them  for  these,  seven  days. 
*  Gilbert  returned  to  kneel  near  Mrs.  Burbank.  His 
tears  mingled  with  hers.  Mars,  with  bloodshot  face  and 
panting  chest,  walked  to  and  fro,  unable  to  contain  him- 
self. 

At  last  his  rage  exploded. 

"  I  will  kill  Texar!"  he  said.    "  I  will  go  to  Jackson- 
ville— to-morrow — this  very  night — this  very  instaiit — " 
"Yes,  come.  Mars!  come!"  said  Gilbert. 
James  Burbank  stopped  them. 

"  If  thai  was  what  ought  to  be  done,"  said  he,  "  I 
should  not  have  waited  for  you  to  come,  my  son!  The 
scoundrel  would  already  have  paid  with  his  life  for  his 
evil  deeds.  But,  before  that  is  done,  it  is  necessary  that 
he  should  say  \^hat  he  alone  can  say.  And  when  I  speak 
thus,  Gilbert — when  I  advise  you  and  Mars  to  wait— it  is 
because  it  is  necessary  to  wait." 

"Be  it  so,  father!"  said  the  young  man.  "But  at 
least  I  will  ransack  the  country;  I  will  search — " 

"And  do  you  think  I  have  not  done  so?  Not  a  day 
has  passed  without  our  exploring  the  river-banks  and 
islands  which  might  serve  as  a  refuge  for  Texar,  and  not 
a  trace  have  we  found,  not  a  thing  to  put  us  on  your, 
sister's  track.  Carrol  and  Stannard  have  helped  me,  and 
up  to  now  our  search  has  been  fruitless." 

"  Why  did  you  not  lodge  a  complaint  at  Jacksonville?" 
asked  the  young  officer.  "  Why  have  you  not  brought  an 
action  against  Texar  for  having  caused  the  pillage  of 
Camdless  Bay  and  the  abduction — " 

"  Why?"  answered  James  Burbank.  "  Because  Texar 
is  now  the  master;  because  all  honest  men  tremble  before 
the  scoundrels  who  are  devoted  to  him;  because  the  popu- 
lace is  with  him,  and  the  county  militia  is  with  him." 


11^ 


"  I  will  kill  Texar!"  said  Mars,  as  if  lie  were  possessed 
by  some  fixed  idea. 

"  You  shall  kill  him  when  the  time  comes,"  said  James 
Burbank.    ^'  At  present  it  would  make  matters  worse." 

"And  when  will  the  time  come?"  asked  Gilbert. 

"  When  the  Federals  are  masters  of  Florida — when  they 
have  occupied  Jacksonville." 

"  And  if  it  is  then  too  late?" 

"  My  son!  my  son!  I  beseech  you  do  not  say  that!"  ex- 
claimed Mrs.  Burbank. 

"No,  Gilbert,  do  not  say  that,"  added  Alice. 

James  Burbank  took  his  son's  hand. 

"  Gilbert,  listen  to  me,"  he  said.  "We,  like  you  and 
Mars,  will  do  instant  justice  on  Texar  if  he  refuses  to  tell 
us  what  he  has  done  with  his  victims.  But  for  your 
sister's  sake,  Gilbert — for  your  wife's  sake.  Mars — our 
anger  must  give  place  to  our  prudence.  There  is  good 
reason  to  believe  that  in  Texar's  hands  Dy  and  Zermah 
are  hostages  for  his  safety.  The  scoundrel  is  afraid  of 
having  to  answer  for  turning  out  the  honest  magistrates 
of  Jacksonville  and  letting  loose  on  Oamdless  Bay  the 
mob  of  scoundrels  to  barn  and  pillage  a  Northerner's 
plantation.  If  I  did  not  believe  this,  Gilbert,  would  I 
speak  with  such  conviction?  Would  I  be  strong  enough 
to  wait?" 

"And  would  I  still  be  alive?"  asked  Mrs.  Burbank. 
The  unfortunate  woman  felt  that  if  her  son  went  to  Jack- 
sonville he  would  fall  into  Texar's  power.  And  what 
could  save  an  oflQcer  of  the  Federal  navy  fallen  into  the 
power  of  the  Southerners  when  the  Federals  were  threat- 
ening Florida? 

Nevertheless,  the  young  officer  was  not  master  of  bim^ 
self.  He  was  obstinate  in  his  wish  to  go;  and,  like  Mars, 
he  repeated,  "  I  will  kill  Texar!" 

"  Çome,  then!"  he  said. 

"  You  shall  not  go,  Gilbert!" 

Mrs.  Burbank  raised  herself  from  the  sofa.  She  placed 
herself  before  the  door;  but,  exhausted  by  the  effort,  she 
could  not  support  herself,  and  she  fainted. 

"Mother!  mother!"  exclaimed  the  young  man. 

Mrs.  Burbank  had  to  be  carried  to  her  room,  where 
Alice  remained  with  her.  Thèn  James  Burbank  rejoined 
Carrol  and  Stannard  in  the  hall. 


Gilbert  waâ  sitting  on  the  sofa  with  his  face  in  his 
hands.    Mars  was  standing  apart,  and  silent. 

"Now,  Gilbert,"  said  James  Burbank,  "you  are  in 
your  right  senses.  Speak!  On  what  you  say  depends 
what  we  shall  do.  Our  only  hope  is  in  a  prompt  arj  ival 
of  the  Federals  in  the  county.  Have  they  given  up  their 
project  of  occupying  Florida?" 

"No." 

"Where  are  they?" 

"  A  part  of  the  squadron  at  this  moment  is  on  the  way 
to  Saint  Augustine,  to  blockade  the  coast." 

"  But  is  not  the  Commodore  going  to  take  possession 
of  the  St.  John's?"  asked  Carrol. 

The  lower  course  of  the  St.  John's  is  ours.  Our  gun- 
boats are  anchored  in  the  river  under  the  orders  of  Com- 
mandant Stevens." 

"  In  the  river,  and  they  have  not  yet  endeavoured  to 
seize  on  Jacksonville?"  asked  Stannard. 

"No,  for  they  have  had  to  stop  at  the  bar,  four  miles 
below  the  town." 

"The  gunboats  stopped,"  said  James  Burbank,  "and 
by  an  insurmountable  obstacle?" 

"  Yes,  father,"  answered  Gilbert;  "stopped  by  want  of 
water.  The  tide  must  be  high  for  them  to  ])ass  the  bar, 
and  even  'then  the  passage  would  be  difficult.  Mars 
knows  the  channel,  and  he  is  to  be  the  pilot." 

"Waiting!  always  waiting!"  exclaimed  James  Bur- 
bank.   "  And  for  how  long?" 

Three  days  or  twenty-four  hours — how  long  the  time 
would  be  for  the  people  in  Castle  House!  And  if  the 
Confederates  saw  that  they  could  not  defend  the  town!  If 
they  abandoned  it,  as  they  had  abandoned  Fernandina, 
Fort  Clinch,  and  the  other  points  of  Georgia  and  northern 
Florida!  If  Texardid  not  run  away!  Then  where  would 
they  search! 

Mr.  Stannard  then  asked  if  it  was  true  that  the  Fed- 
erals had  met  with  a  repulse  in  the  North.  What  ^'as 
thought  of  the  defeat  at  Bentonville? 

"  The  victory  of  Pea  Eidge  has  enabled  Curtis  to  re- 
occupy  the  ground  he  for  a  moment  lost.  The  situation 
of  the  Northerners  is  excellent;  their  success  is  assured  in 
a  delay  which  it  was  difficult  to  foresee.    When  they  have 


m 


texar's  REVE*ras. 


occupied  the  principal  points  in  Florida,  they  will  stop 
contraband  of  war  from  entering  through  the  coast  passes; 
and  arms  and  ammunition  will  no  longer  reach  the  Con- 
federates. Then,  in  a  little  time,  the  territory  will  re- 
sume its  calm  and  security  under  the  protection  of  our 


The  idea  of  his  sister  being  exposed  to  such  peril  re- 
turned to  him  with  such  force  that  Mr.  Burbank,  to  divert 
his  attention,  changed  the  conversation.  How  did  the 
belligerents  stand  ?  Could  Gilbert  give  them  any  news 
which  had  not  reached  Jacksonville  or  rather  Camdless 


Several  things  he  could  tell  them,  some  of  them  of  great 
importance  for  the  Northerners  in  Florida. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  after  the  victory  of  Donelson, 
the  State  of  Tennessee  had  almost  entirely  fallen  under 
Federal  domination.  By  a  simultaneous  combined  attack 
of  army  and  fleet,  the  Federals  endeavoured  to  make 
themselves  masters  of  the  entire  course  of  the  Mississippi. 
They  had  descended  it  to  Island  10,  where  the  troops  came 
in  contact  with  Beauregard's  division,  wljich  had  charge 
of  the  defence  of  the  river.  Already,  on  the  24th  of 
February,  General  Pope's  brigade,  after  landing  at  Com- 
merce, on  the  right  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  had  repulsed 
J.  Thomson's  corps.  Arrived  at  Island  10  and  the  village 
of  New  Madrid,  they  had,  it  is  true,  to  halt  before  a  for- 
midable system  of  redoubts  prepared  by  Beauregard. 
Since  the  fall  of  Donelson  and  Nashville,  all  the  positions 
on  the  river  above  Memphis  had  been  considered  as  lost 
to  the  Confederates,  but  those  below  could  still  be  de- 
fended, and  here  it  was  a  battle  would  soon  be  fought 
which  might  be  decisive. 

But  meanwhile,  Hampton  Roads,  at  the  entrance  of  the 
James  River,  had  been  the  scene  of  a  memorable  combat. 
The  battle  had  been  between  the  first  examples  of  armour- 
plated  ships,  the  employment  of  which  has  modified  the 
navies  and  naval  tactics  of  both  the  Old  and  New  World. 

On  the  1st  of  March  the  Monitor,  an  armour-plated 
vessel  built  by  the  Swedish  engineer  Ericcson,  and  the 
Virginia,  the  old  Merrimac  much  altered,  had  been  ready 
to  put  to  sea,  one  at  New  York,  the  other  at  Norfolk. 

At  this  time  a  Federal  division,  under  the  orders  -^f 


But  now — ' 


Bay? 


À  FEW  HOURS. 


121 


Captain  Marston,  was  at  anchor  in  Hampton  Roads,  near 
Newport  News.  This  division  was  composed  of  the 
Congress,  the  Saint  Lawrence,  the  Gumlerland,  and  two 
steam  frigates. 

Suddenly,  on  the  2nd  of  March,  in  the  morning,  there 
appeared  the  Virginia,  commanded  by  the  Confederate 
Captain  Buchanan.  Followed  by  a  few  other  vessels  of 
minor  importance,  she  attacked  the  Congress,  and  then  the 
Cumberland,  which  latter  she  rammed  and  sank  with  a 
hundred  and  twenty  men  of  her  crew.  Returning  then  to 
the  Congress,  stranded  on  the  inud,  she  shelled  her  and  set 
her  on  fire.  Only  the  night  stopped  her  from  destroying 
the  other  three  vessels  of  the  Federal  squadron. 

It  is  difficult  to  imagine  the  effect  produced  by  the 
victory  of  a  small  armour-plated  ship  over  the  broadside 
ships  of  the  Union.  The  news  was  propagated  with 
marvellous  rapidity.  Great  was  the  consternation  among 
the  partisans  of  the  North,  for  the  Virginia  might  enter 
the  Hudson  and  sink  every  ship  at  New  York.  Great 
was  the  joy  of  the  Southerners,  who  saw  the  blockade 
raised  and  trade  again  untrammelled  along  Iheir  coast. 

It  was  this  naval  success  which  was  being  so  noisily 
celebrated  at  J ackson ville.  The  Confederates  now  fancied 
themselves  safe  from  the  Federal  vessels.  Following  on 
the  victory  at  Hampton  Roads,  might  not  Commodore 
Dupont's  squadron  be  immediately  recalled  to  the  Potomac 
or  the  Chesapeake  ?  No  landing  would  threaten  Florida. 
The  slavery  ideas  supported  by  the  most  violent  of  the 
Southerners  would  triumph  without  a  contest.  And  this 
would  strengthen  Texar  and  his  partisans  in  a  position  in 
which  they  could  do  so  much  evil. 

But  the  Confederates  were  in  too  great  a  hurry.  And 
the  news  already  known  in  Florida,  Gilbert  was  able  to 
supplement  with  that  which  was  current  when  he  left 
Commandant  Stevens's  gunboat. 

The  second  fight  in  Hampton  Roads  had  been  very 
different  from  the  first.  On  the  morning  of  the  9th  of 
March,  when  the  Virginia  was  preparing  to  attack  the 
Mi?inesota,  one  of  the  two  Federal  frigates,  an  enemy 
whose  presence  was  unsuspected  by  the  Southerners 
suddenly  appeared  before  her.  A  strange  machine  came 
awaj  from  the  fripte's  side,  '*a  cheçse-box  on  Sk  raft/'  g,s 


122 


texae's  eevenge. 


the  Confederates  called  it.  This  cheese-box'' was  the 
Monitor,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Warden.  He  had 
been  sent  to  destroy  the  batteries  on  the  Potomac,  but  on 
reaching  the  mouth  of  the  James  River,  had  heard  the 
firing  in  Hampton  Roads,  and  during  the  night  had 
brought  the  Monitor  on  to  the  scene. 

At  half  a  dozen  yards  from  each  other  these  two  for- 
midable engines  of  war  fought  for  four  hours,  and  then 
the  Virginia,  struck  on  the  water-line  and  in  danger  of 
sinking,  took  flight  in  the  direction  of  Norfolk.  The 
Monitor,  which  was  to  sink  nine  months  later,  had  com- 
pletely defeated  her  rival.  Thanks  to  her,  the  Federal 
Government  resumed  its  superiority  in  Hampton  Roads. 

"jSTo,  father,"  said  Gilbert  as  he  ended  his  story,  "  our 
squadron  has  not  been  recalled  to  the  nortll.  Stevens's 
six  gunboats  are  anchored  in  the  St.  John's  in  front  of  the 
bar.  I  tell  you  that  in  three  days,  at  least,  we  shall  be 
masters  of  Jacksonville."  ' 

"  Then. you  must  see,  Gilbert,  that  you  had  better  wait 
and  return  on  board  !  But  on  your  way  to  Camdless  Bay 
do  you  not  think  you  have  been  followed  ?" 

"No.    Mars  and  I  have  escaped  all  observation." 

"And  this  man  who  told  you  what  had  passed  at  the 
plantation,  the  fire,  the  robbery,  the  illness  of  your  mother. 
Who  is  he?" 

"  He  said  he  was  one  of  the  lighthouse-keepers  at  Pablo, 
and  had  come  to  warn  Captain  Stevens  of  the  danger  run 
by  the  Northerners  in  this  part  of  Florida." 

"Did  he  know  of  your  presence  on  board  ?" 

"No,  and  he  seemed  much  surprised  at  it.  But  why 
these  questions  ?" 

"Because  I  am  afraid  it  is  some  plot  of  Texar's.  He 
more  than  suspected — he  knew  that  you  were  in  the 
Federal  navy.  He  learnt  that  you  were  under  the  orders 
of  Commandant  Stevens.  If  he  wished  to  entice  you 
here — " 

"Never  fear.  We  have  got  to  Camdless  Bay  without 
being  seen  coming  up  the  river,  and  it  will  be  the  same 
when  we  go  back." 

"  If  you  go  on  board — not  otherwise  !" 

"  I  promise  you,  father.  Mars  and  I  sl^all  be  on  bo^-rd 
before  daybreak," 


A  FEW  HOUBS. 


123 


"  When  will  you  go  ?" 
When  the  tide  turns.    That  is  about  half-past  two 
o'clock."  ^ 

Who  knows  ?"  said  Carrol.  "  Perhaps  the  gunboats 
will  not  stop  three  days  at  the  bar  ?" 

"  The  wind  must  freshen  to  give  enough  water  on  the 
bar,"  said  the  lieutenant.    "May  it  blow  a  gale  !  And 
then  we  can  get  at  the  scoundrels  !    And  then — " 
"  I  will  kill  Texar/'  said  Mars. 

It  was  a  little  after  midnight.  Gilbert  and  Mars 
would  not  leave  Castle  House  for  two  hours,  waiting  for 
the  ebb  to  return  to  the  flotilla.  The  darkness  was  great, 
and  there  was  every  chance  of  their  getting  away  un- 
perceived,  although  several  boats  were  on  guard  on  the 
St.  John's  below  Camdless  Bay. 

The  young  officer  went  up  to  his  mother.  He  found 
Alice  seated  at  the  bedside.  Mrs.  Burbank,  exhausted  by 
the  efforts  she  had  made,  had  fallen  into  a  deep  slumber— 
a  very  sorrowful  one  to  judge  by  the  way  she  sobbed. 

Gilbert  would  not  interfere  with  this  state  of  torpor  in 
which  there  was  more  prostration  than  sleep.  He  sat  near 
the  bed  after  Alice  had  motioned  him  not  to  speak,  adhere 
in  silence  they  watched  together  the  poor  woman  whom 
misfortune  had  struck  so  cruelly.  Had  tliey  words  in 
which  to  excha,nge  their  thoughts?  No!  They  felt 
the  same  suffering,  they  understood  each  other  and  said 
nothing— it  was  their  hearts  that  spoke. 

At  last  the  time  arrived  for  Gilbert  to  leave.  He  gave 
his  hand  to  Alice,  and  both  bent  over  Mrs.  Burbank,  whose 
eyes  were  half -closed  and  could  not  see  them. 

Then  Gilbert  pressed  his  lips  to  his  mother's  forehead, 
which  the  girl  kissed  after  him.  Mrs.  Burbank  gave  a 
sorrowful  sob,  but  she  did  not  see  her  son  go,  nor  Alice 
follow  him  to  bid  him  a  last  farewell. 

Mars  went  out  to  see  if  the  coast  was  clear.  He  came 
back  as  Gilbert  and  Alice  entered  the  hall. 

"It  is  time  to  go,"  said  he. 
Yes,  Gilbert,"  said  James  Burbank.    "Go  !  we  shall 
meet  again  at  Jacksonville." 

"Yes!  At  Jacksonville,  and  to-morrow  if  the  tide 
allows  us  to  cross  the  bar.    As  for  Texar—" 

We  must  have  him  living  !    Do  not  forget  that 


124 


texae's  revenge. 


"  Yes,  living  P 

The  young  man  embraced  his  father  and  shook  handg 
with  his  uncle  Carrol  and  Stannard. 
''Come,  Mars,"  said  he. 

And  following  the  right  bank  of  the  river  they  kept 
along  for  half  an  hour.  They  met  no  one.  They  reached 
the  place  where  they  had  left  the  gig,  and  embarked  in  her 
to  ^et  into  the  stream,  which  would  take  them  rapidly  to 
the  bar  of  the  St.  John's. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Oîf  THE  ST.  JOHN'S. 

They  were  alone  on  the  river.  Not  a  light  could  be  seen 
on  the  opposite  bank.  The  lights  of  Jacksonville  were 
hidden  by  the  bend  of  Camdless  Creek,  as  it  rounded 
towards  the  north;  but  the  reflection  mounted  on  high 
and  tinged  the  lower  bank  of  clouds. 

Although  the  night  was  dark,  the  gig  could  without 
difficulty  make  its  way  down  stream  to  the  bar.  No 
vapour,  however,  rose  from  the  waters  of  the  St.  John's, 
and  it  could  easily  be  followed  and  pursued  if  any  Con- 
federate boat  was  in  waiting  for  it,  but  this  Gilbert  and 
his  companion  had  no  reason  to  expect. 

Both  were  silent.  Instead  of  heading  down  stream  they 
would  much  rather  have  crossed  it  to  seek  out  Texar  in 
Jacksonville,  and  meet  him  face  to  face.  Then  ascending 
the  river  they  could  search  the  forest  and  the  creeks  and 
their  banks,  and  though  James  Burbank  had  failed  they 
might  succeed.  But  it  was  best  to  wait.  When  the 
Federals  were  masters  of  Florida,  Gilbert  and  Mars  could 
set  to  work  against  the  Spaniard  with  more  chances  of 
success.  Their  duty  now  was  to  re-join  the  flotilla  under 
Commandant  Stevens.  If  the  bar  became  practicable 
sooner  than  they  hoped,  the  young  lieutenant  ought  to  be 
at  his  post  ready  for  action,  and  Mars  should  be  at  his  post 
ready  to  pilot  the  gunboats  up  the  channel,  the  depth  of 


ON  THE  ST.  JOHN*S. 


125 


which,  at  every  moment  of  the  rising  tide,  was  so  well 
known  to  him. 

Mars,  seated  in  the  stern  of  the  gig,  plied  his  paddle 
with  vigour.  In  the  bow  Gilbert  kept  careful  watch  down 
stream,  ready  to  signal  any  danger  that  presented  itself 
from  boat  or  drifting  tree.  Leaving  the  right  bank 
obliquely,  they  made  for  the  middle  of  the  channel,  so  as 
to  take  advantage  of  the  full  strength  of  the  stream. 
Once  they  were  there.  Mars,  by  a  stroke  to  port  or  star- 
board, could  easily  keep  the  gig  on  its  course. 

It  would  have  been  safer  to  have  kept  along  by  the 
dark  fringe  of  trees  and  gigantic  reeds  which  bordered  the 
right  bank  of  the  St.  John's.  In  the  shadow  of  the  thick 
branches  there  was  little  risk  of  discovery.  But  a  little 
below  the  plantation  a  sharp  elbow  of  the  bank  threw  the 
current  out  to  the  other  side,  and  formed  a  wide  eddy 
which  made  the  navigation  somewhat  difficult.  Mars, 
seeing  nothing  suspicious  ahead,  steered  the  boat  out  into 
the  current,  which  was  swiftly  running  to  the  sea.  From 
the  landing  place  at  Camdless  Bay  to  the  anchorage  of  the 
flotilla  below  the  bar,  the  distance  was  four  or  five  miles, 
and  helped  by  the  ebb  and  the  vigorous  strokes  of  the 
paddle,  this  ought  to  be  accomplished  within  a  couple  of 
hours. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour  after  their  start,  Gilbert  and  Hars 
were  in  mid-stream,  and  approaching  Jacksonville.  It 
may  be  that  Mars  unconsciously  headed  towards  the  town, 
drawn  thither  by  some  irresistible  attraction.  Never- 
theless the  hateful  place  must  be  avoided,  for  its  neigh- 
bourhood was  probably  better  guarded  than  the  middle  of 
the  river. 

"  Starboard,  Mars,  starboard/'  said  the  young  officer,  i 

And  the  gig  curved  into  the  line  of  the  current  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  left  bank. 

Jacksonville  was  now  neither  dark  nor  silent.  Scores 
of  lights  were  moving  about  on  the  wharves,  or  swaying 
in  the  boats  on  the  water.  A  few  were  gliding  along  from 
point  to  point,  as  if  an  active  guard  had  been  organized. 

At  the  same  time  songs  and  shouts  showed  that  scenes 
of  amusement  or  riot  continued  to  trouble  the  town.  Did, 
then,  Texar  and  his  partisans  believe  in  the  defeat  of  the 
Northerners  in  Virginia  and  the  possible  retreat  of  th» 


126 


texar's  eevenge. 


flotilla?  Or  were  they  making  the  best  of  the  few  days 
that  were  left  to  them  in  launching  out  into  every  excess, 
while  the  people  around  them  were  drunk  with  whiskey 
and  gin? 

The  gig  kept  on  her  course  in  mid-stream.  Gilbert  had 
good  reason  to  hope  that  he  would  be  out  of  danger  as 
soon  as  he  passed  Jacksonville. 

Suddenly  he  motioned  to  Mars  to  stop  paddling.* 
Within  a  mile  below  the  town  he  had  just  caught  sight  of 
a  long  line  of  black  objects  stretching  like  a  range  of  reefs 
from  one  side  of  the  river  to  the  other. 

It  was  a  line  of  boats  broadside  on,  and  guarding  the 
St.  John's.  Evidently,  when  the  gunboats  cleared  the  bar, 
these  would  be  powerless  to  resist  them,  and  would  have 
to  retreat,  but  if  any  Federal  boats  attempted  1k)  ascend 
the  river  they  might  offer  some  opposition  to  their 
passage.  For  this  reason  they  had  been  placed  in  posi- 
tion durii]g  the  night.  They  lay  without  moving,  kept 
in  station  either  by  their  grapnels  or  their  oars.  Al- 
though no  men  could  be  seen,  it  was  certain  that  a 
number  were  on  board  and  well  armed. 

Gilbert,  of  course,  remarked  that  the  string  of  vessels 
had  not  barred  the  river  when  he  came  up  to  Oamdless 
Bay.  The  precaution  had  been  taken  since  the  passage  of 
the  gig,  and  perhaps  in  view  of  an  expected  attack  from 
Commandant  Stevens.  Anyhow,  the  gig  was  forced  to 
leave  the  centre  of  the  stream,  and  keep  as  close  as  pos- 
sible to  the  right  shore,  where  it  might  pass  unperceived 
among  the  reeds  in  the  shadow  of  the  trees.  This  was 
the  only  chance  of  passing  the  barrier. 

'^Mars,  mind  you  paddle  without  any  noise  until  we 
are  through  the  line,"  said  the  lieutenant. 
Yes,  sir." 

"  We  may  get  among  the  eddies,  and  if  you  want  any 
help—" 

I  shall  not  want  any." 

And  with  a  powerful  stroke  he  sent  the  boat  towards 
the  river  side  some  three  hundred  yards  above  the  guarded 
line.  If  she  had  not  been  sighted  as  she  crossed  the  river 
— and  she  might  have  been — she  would  certainly  be  safe 
from  discovery  under  the  dark  masses  along  its  edge,  and 
if  the  end  of  the  line  of  boats  did  not  extend  to  the  bank, 
it  was  pretty  certain  she  could  get  through. 


ON  THE  ST.  John's. 


127 


Mars  worked  her  carefully  down  in  the  darkness, 
which  the  thick  curtain  of  leafage  rendered  darker.  The 
stumps  that  here  and  there  showed  above  the  water  he 
dexterously  avoided,  and  with  noiseless  strokes  he  ad- 
vanced, occasionally  cressingan  eddy  or  a  counter  current 
which,  without  some  trouble,  it  was  not  easy  to  get 
through.  Coasting  in  this  way  quite  an  hour  would  be 
lost,  though  it  would  matter  little  if  daylight  came  before 
the  voyage  ended,  as  by  that  time  they  would  be  near 
enough  to  the  gunboats  to  fear  no  danger  from  Jackson- 
ville. 

About  four  o'clock  the  gig  reached  the  line  of  boats. 
As  Gilbert  had  expected,  the  shallowness  of  the  river 
close  in  shore  had  caused  the  passage  near  the  edge  to  be 
left  unguarded.  A  few  hundred  feet  beyond,  a  point 
jutted  out  into  the  St.  John's,  thickly  wooded  and 
crowded  with  mangroves  and  bamboos.  This  point  on 
the  up-stream  side  was  as  dark  and  gloomy  as  could  be 
wished,  but  on  the  down-stream  face  the  trees  and  shrubs 
suddenly  came  to  an  end,  and  the  shore  was  cut  up  into 
marshes  and  creek?,  and  lay  low  and  exposed,  with  noth- 
ing to  cast  a  shadow.  The  river  there  was  as  light  as  in 
the  open,  and  a  black  moving  point  like  the  gig  would 
probably  be  seen  should  any  vessel  be  lying  oH  in  the 
neighbourhood. 

Beyond  it  the  eddies  ended,  and  the  current  flowed 
straight  and  strong.  If  the  boat  could  double  the  point, 
she  would  soon  be  swept  down  to  the  bar,  and  thence  to 
the  anchorage. 

Cautiously  Mars  glided  by  under  the  bank.  Peering 
into  the  darkness  he  intently  watched  the  lower  course  of 
the  river.  .Close  to  the  edge  as  it  was  safe  to  go,  clearing 
the  eddies  which,  as  the  point  curved  out,  grew  more 
troublesome  to  him,  he  plied  his  paddle  silently,  while  Gil- 
bert, forward,  kept  a  steady  look-out  over  the  whole  sur- 
face of  the  St.  John's. 

Gradually  the  gig  neared  the  point.  A  few  minutes 
more  and  they  would  reach  the  end  which  ran  out  as  a 
fine  tongue  of  sand.  They  were  not  more  than  thirty 
yards  from  it  when  Mars  abruptly  stopped. 

"  Are  you  tired?"  asked  the  lieutenant^  "  Shall  I  take 
your  place?" 


128 


texar's  revenge. 


**Not  a  word,  Mr.  Gilbert!"  whispered  Mars. 

And  with  two  strong  strokes  of  the  paddle,  he  drove 
the  gig  towards  the  land  as  if  to  run  her  on  the  bank. 
Then,  instantly,  he  grasped  one  of  the  branches  hanging 
over  the  river,  and  under  it  guided  the  boat  out  of  sight. 
In  an  instant  they  were  alongside  the  root  of  one  of  the 
mangrove  trees,  and  motionless  in  darkness  so  deep  that 
they  could  not  see  each  other. 

In  ten  seconds  the  manœuvra  was  accomplished. 

The  lieutenant  seized  his  companion's  arm,  and  was 
about  to  demand  an  explanation,  when  Mars  pointed 
through  the  foliage  and  showed  him  a  moving  object  juat 
off  the  spit. 

It  was  a  boat  with  four  men  in  her  rowing  up-stream, 
and  rounding  the  point  so  as  to  skirt  the  bank  as  she 
passed. 

The  same  thought  occurred  to  Gilbert  and  Mars.  Be- 
fore everything,  and  in  spite  of  everything,  they  must 
regain  their  ship.  If  the  gig  was  discovered  they  would 
not  hesitate  to  climb  the  bank,  run  under  the  trees,  and 
escape  along  the  riverside  to  the  bar.  There  at  daybreak, 
whether  their  signals  were  answered  by  the  nearest  of  the 
gunboats  or  tliey  had  to  swim  for  it,  they  would  do  all 
that  was  humanly  possible  to  get  back  to  their  duty. 

But  a  moment  afterwards  they  found  that  all  retreat  by 
land  was  cut  off. 

When  the  boat  arrived  at  some  twenty  feet  from  the 
spot  where  they  lay  hid,  a  conversation  suddenly  began 
between  the  men  in  her  and  half  a  dozen  others  who  ap- 
peared in  the  gloom  among  the  trees  on  the  top  of  the  bank. 

**The  worst  is  over!"  said  one  from  the  land. 

'*Yes,"  said  a  man  m  the  boat.  **To  double  that 
point  against  the  tide  is  almost  as  bad  as  pujling  up  a 
rapid." 

Are  you  going  to  anchor  here  now  that  we  have  been 
landed  on  the  point?" 

"  Yes.    We  shall  guard  the  end  of  the  barrier  better." 

"  Right.  We  will  look  after  the  bank,  and  unless  they, 
take  to  the  marshes,  the  scoundrels  will  not  find  it  easy 
to  get  by  us." 

"  Have  they  done  so,  do  you  think?'* 

"  No;  they  couldn't.    They'll  try  to  get  back  on  feoard 


ON  THE  ST.  John's. 


129 


before  daylight,  and  as  they  cannot  pass  the  boat  barrier, 
they  will  make  their  attempt  along  here.  And  here  we 
are  to  stop  them." 

Few  as  were  the  phrases,  they  were  sufficient  to  explain 
what  had  happened.  The  departure  of  Gilbert  and  Mars 
had  been  observed — there  could  be  no  doubt  of  that.  Al- 
though they  had  managed  to  reach  Camdless  Bay  with- 
out falling  aboard  of  the  boats  ordered  to  stop  them, 
now  that  the  river  was  barred,  and  their  return  waited 
for,  it  would  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  reach  the 
gnnboats. 

The  gig  was  fairly  caught  between  the  men  in  the  boat 
and  the  men  landed  on  the  point.  Flight  by  the  river 
was  impracticable,  and  none  the  less  so  was  it  impractica- 
ble along  this  narrow  bank,  with  the  St.  John's  on  one 
side  and  the  marshes  on  the  other. 

At  the  same  time  Gilbert  learnt  that  his  presence  on 
the  St.  John's  was  known;  and  there  could  be  no  doubt 
it  was  known  that  he  and  his  companion  had  landed  at 
Camdless  Bay,  that  one  of  them  was  James  Biirbank's 
son,  an  officer  in  the  Federal  navy,  and  the  other  one  of 
his  men.  The  lieutenant  could  not  well  mistake  the  dan- 
ger that  threatened  him  when  he  heard  the  last  words  of 
the  conversation. 

Keep  your  eyes  open,  then,"  said  one  of  the  men  on 
the  land. 

All  right,"  was  the  reply.  "A  Yankee  officer  is  a 
good  prize,  particularly  when  the  officer  is  the  sou  of  one 
of  our  cursed  Floridan  Federals." 

And  they'll  pay  well  for  him,  for  Texar  is  the  pay- 
master." 

"  We  may  not  catch  them  to-night,  for  they  may  lay  up 
in  some  of  the  creeks.  But  when  day  comes  we'll  search 
every  cranny  so  well  that  not  a  water-rat  will  escape  us." 
Don't  forget,  you  are  to  take  them  alive." 

"All  right!  Remember,  if  we  get  them  on  the  land, 
we  have  to  hail  you  to  take  them  over  to  Jacksonville." 

"  Unless  we  have  to  give  chase  we  shall  remain  here." 

**  And  we  shall  stop  here  across  the  bank." 

"Good  luck  to  you!  You  had  better  have  spent  the 
night  in  drinks  at  Jacksonville." 

*'Yes,  if  the  rascals  outwit  us  I   But  never  fear,  to- 


ISO 


Texar^s  eëvêng^ 


morrow  we  shall  take  them  to  Texar  bound  hand  and 
foot." 

The  boat  then  moved  off  some  twenty  feet,  and  then 
the  noise  of  a  chain  running  out  announced  that  she  hud 
dropped  anchor.  The  men  above  spoke  no  more,  but  the 
sound  of  their: feet  was  heard  as  they  marched  to  and  fro 
oh  the  fallen  leaves. 

By  the  river  as  by  the  land  flight  was  no  longer  possi- 
ble. 

So  thought  Gilbert  and  Mars.  Neither  of  them  had 
made  a  single  movement  or  uttered  a  word.  There  wiis 
nothing  to  betray  the  presence  of  the  gig  under  the  dark 
arbour  of  foliage — an  arbour  which  was  a  prison."  To 
leave  it  was  impossible.  Supposing  that  they  were  not 
discovered  during  the  night,  how  could  they  escape  when 
day  appeared? 

The  lieutenant's  capture  not  only  meant  danger  to 
his  own  life,  but  another  attack  on  his  father  by 
Texar,  and  proof  of  James  Burbank^s  correspondence 
with  the  Federals.  When  Gilbert  was  in  Texar's  power, 
the  necessary  proof  would  be  to  hand.  And  then  what 
would  become  of  Mrs.  Burbank?  What  would  become  of 
Dy  and  Zermah,  when  neither  father,  brother,  nor  hus 
band  could  continue  the  search? 

In  a  moment  all  these  thoughts  presented  themselves, 
and  Gilbert  recognized  the  inevitable  consequences. 

If  they  were  taken  only  one  chance  was  left.  The 
Federals  might  seize  Jacksonville  before  Texar  could  in- 
jure them.  The  prisoners  might  be  given  enough  time 
for  this  to  take  place  between  the  sentence  they  could  not 
escape  and  their  execution.  That  was  their  only  hope. 
But  how  could  they  hurry  on  the  arrival  of  Stevens? 
How  could  he  clear  the  bar  if  the  water  was  still  wanting? 
How  could  Stevens  find  his  way  through  the  windings  of 
the  channel  if  his  pilot.  Mars,  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
Confederates? 

Evidently,  then,  Gilbert  must  risk  even  the  impossible 
to  get  on  board  before  daylight;  and  he  must,  leave  this 
place  at  once.  But  could  he  do  so  ?  Could  not  Mars,  by 
driving  the  gig  suddenly  across  the  eddy,  get  clear  away? 
While  the  men  in  the  boat  were  losing  time  by  weighing 
the  grapnel  or  letting  out  chain,  could  they  not  get  by  out 
of  reach  ? 


ÔiT  *Hfi  Sî".  JOHN*S. 


lâi 


That  was  impossible!  The  lieutenant  knew  it  only  too 
well.  The  paddle  was  no  match  for  four  oars.  The  gig 
would  inevitably  be  caught.  To  make  such  an  attempt 
was  to  court  certain  capture. 

What  was  then  to  be  done  ?  Was  he  to  wait?  Day 
would  soon  appear.  It  was  already  half -past  four  o'clock, 
and  a  few  atreaks  of  the  dawn  had  risen  above  the  eastern 
horizon. 

It  was  necessary  to  do  something.  Gilbert,  bending 
towards  Mars,  spoke  to  him  in  a  whisper. 

"  We  cannot  wait  much  longer.  We  are  both  armed 
with  a  revolver  and  a  cutlass.  In  the  boat  there  are  only 
four  men.  That  is  only  two  to  one  ;  •  and  we  shall  have 
the  advantage  of  the  surprise.  You  can  send  the  gig  up 
to  the  boat  in  a  stroke  or  two  ;  she  is  anchored  and  can- 
not stop  our  boarding.  We  will  fall  on  the  men  and  settle 
them  before  they  have  time  to  recognize  us,  and  we  can 
make  a  dash  for  it.  Before  the  fellows  on  the  bank  have 
given  the  alarm  we  may  have  got  through  the  barrier  and 
reached  the  ships.    Do  you  understand?" 

Mars  replied  by  drawing  his  cutlass  and  slipping  it  into 
his  belt  near  his  revolver.  Then  he  slacked  off  the  painter 
of  the  gig  from  the  mangrove  root  and  grasped  his  paddle 
ready  for  a  vigorous  stroke. 

But  as  he  stooped  to  begin  Gilbert  stopped  him  with  a 
gesture. 

Something  had  come  unexpectedly  to  alter  his  plans. 

With  the  first  streaks  of  the  day,  a  thick  mist  began  to 
rise  on  the  water.  Like  a  humid  pile  of  cotton-wool  it 
rolled  along  the  river  waves,  clinging  to  them  as  it  came. 
Formed  over  the  sea,  such  vapours  enter  the  estuary,  and 
driven  before  a  gentle  breeze,  ascend  the  course  of  the  St. 
John's.  In  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  Jacksonville, 
on  the  left  bank,  and  the  trees  on  the  right  bank  had  dis- 
appeared, wrapped  in  the  yellowish  mist  whose  character- 
istic odour  filled  the  valley. 

Did  not  this  offer  a  means  of  safety?  Instead  of  engag- 
ing in  an  unequal  struggle  in  which  they  might  both  fall, 
why  should  they  not  try  to  get  by  in  the  fog  ? 

Gilbert  saw  this,  and  that  is  why  he  stopped  Mars  from 
beginning  his  stroke.  Now,  instead  of  dashing  out,  he 
was  to  slip  along  cautiously  and  silently,  and  avoid  the 
boat,  which  slowly  vanished  as  the  mist  closed  round  it. 


132 


Then  the  voices  were  again  heard  replying  to  the  bank 
from  the  river. 

"  Look  out  in  the  fog/' 
'     ''Yes.    We  are  getting  in  the  anchor,  and  coming 
closer  in  shore/' 

''i^^^  ^^^^^  y^^^  communication  with 

the  Ime.  If  they  come  near  you,  keep  them  back  till  the 
fog  lifts/' 

''  Yes!  Never  fear;  you  see  that  the  beggars  don't  get 
past  your  shore/' 

Evidently  the  orders  were  obeyed.  There  were  certain 
boats  crossing  the  river  from  one  bank  to  the  other,  that 
also  was  obvious.  But  Gilbert  did  not  hesitate.  The 
gig,  paddled  noiselessly  by  Mars,  glided  out  from  her 
shelter  under  the  trees,  and  crossed  the  eddy  in  which 
the  boat  had  been  anchored. 

The  fog  seemed  to  thicken,  although  it  was  penetrated 
by  a  dim  light  such  as  is  given  by  a  horn  lantern.  Noth- 
ing could  be  seen  a  yard  or  two  away.  If  the  gig  passed 
clear  of  the  boat,  there  was  an  excellent  chance  of  her 
escaping  unobserved.  And  it  was  not  difficult  to  avoid 
the  boat,  for  the  men  in  weighing  the  anchor  made  enough 
noise  with  the  chain  to  leave  no  doubt  as  to  their  exact 
position. 

The  gig  slipped  by  unnoticed,  and  Mars  could  ply  his 
paddle  a  little  more  vigorously. 

The  difficulty  was  to  keep  a  proper  course  without  run- 
ning out  into  midstream.  If  possible  he  would  have  re- 
mained at  a  little  distance  from  the  right  bank  ;  but  the 
only  guide  was  the  lapping  of  the  water  on  the  shore. 
The  day  was  breaking,  and  the  light  flooded  the  mass  of 
vapour  although  the  fog  was  very  thick. 

For  half  an  hour  the  gig,  so  to  speak,  wandered  about 
at  a  venture.  Sometimes  a  vague  outline  unexpectedly 
appeared,  which  might  be  a  boat  much  magnified  by  re- 
fraction— an  instance  of  a  phenomenon  commonly  observed 
in  sea  fogs. 

In  fact  every  object  appeared  with  quite  fantastic  sud- 
denness, and  seemed  to  be  of  enormous  dimensions. 
Luckily  what  Gilbert  took  for  a  boat  would  be  only  a  buoy, 
or  rock  above  water,  or  a  pole  with  its  upper  end  vanish- 
ing in  the  mist. 


OK  O^HE  ST.  ^oaK'S. 


133 


A  few  pairs  of  birds  flew  by  with  measured  flap  of  wing. 
They  could  scarcely  see  them,  but  they  heard  their  pierc- 
ing cry.  Some  came  flying  along  the  surface  of  the  water/ 
and  turned  to  flight  when  the  gig  approached  them.  They 
vanished,  but  it  was  impossible  to  say  if  they  flew  to  the 
bank  or  dived  into  the  water.  ' 

From  their  paddling  all  the  time  with  the  stream  Gil- 
bert knew  that  he  must  be  nearing  the  anchorage  of  the 
gunboats  ;  but  as  the  ebb  had  slackened  he  could  not  say 
if  he  had  passed  the  line,  and  he  was  in  constant  expecta- 
tion of  running  aboard  one  of  the  boats. 

All  chance  of  serious  danger  was  not  over*  And  it  soon 
became  evident  that  the  danger  was  greater  than  ever. 
At  short  intervals  Mars  had  to  stop  and  hold  the  paddle 
out  of  the  water.  ,  The  noise  of  oars,  sometimes  far  off, 
sometimes  close  by,  would  make  itself  heard.  Shouts 
would  be  exchanged  between  the  boats.  Vague  masses 
would  loom  and  vanish  in  the  fog,  and  these  were  evi- 
dently the  guard  boats  it  was  their  object  to  avoid.  Some- 
times the  mist  would  suddenly  open  as  if  a  puff  of  wind 
had  penetrated  it.  The  range  of  vision  would  increase  to 
a  hundred  yards  and  more,  and  Gilbert  and  Mars  would 
try  to  make  out  their  whereabouts  ;  and  then  the  mist 
would  thicken  again,  and  all  they  could  do  was  to  drop 
down  with  the  stream. 

It  was  a  little  past  five  o'clock.  Gilbert  calculated  that 
he  was  two  miles  from  the  anchorage.  As  a  fact,  he  had 
not  yet  reached  the  bar  of  the  river,  which  would  be  easily 
recognizable  by  the  increase  in  the  sound  of  the  stream, 
and  by  the  numerous  minor  currents  intermitigliugtumul- 
tuously  in  a  way  no  sailor  could  mistake.  Had  he  crossed 
the  bar,  Gilbert  would  have  thought  himself  safe.  It  was 
not  likely  that  the  boats  would  venture  so  far  from  Jack- 
sonville under  the  fire  of  the  gunboats. 

Gilbert  and  Mars  bent  over  almost  to  the  level  of  the 
water  and  listened.  They  could  hear  nothing.  Perhaps 
they  had  gone  astray  to  the  right  or  left  of  the  river  ? 
Had  they  not  better  take  an  oblique  course  so  as  to  reach 
one  of  the  banks,  and  wait  till  the  fog  grew  lighter  to 
get  their  proper  bearings  ? 

This  seemed  the  best  thing  to  do  now  that  the  mist  had 
begun  to  rise.    The  sun,  which  they  knew  was  now  up, 


l34  texar's  eevengè. 

was  lifting  the  fog  as  it  warmed  it.  The  surface  of  the 
St  John's  would  soon  come  into  view,  for  some  distance 
round  before  the  sky  would  show  itself.  Then  the  curtain 
would  suddenly  collapse,  and  the  horizon  appear  out  of 
the  mist.  A  mile  perhaps  below  the  bar  Gilbert  would 
seethe  gunboats  swinging  to  the  ebb,  and  he  would  be. 

able  to  reach  them.  '  i  .     x  xi. 

At  this  moment  a  sound  of  waters  rushing  together  was 
heard.  Almost  immediately  the  gig  began  to  turn  as  if 
caught  in  a  whirlpool.    There  could  be  no  mistake. 

"  The  bar!"  exclaimed  Gilbert. 

"Yes;  the  bar!"  said  Mars;  "  and  once  we  are  over  it 
we  shall  be  at  the  anchorage."  . 

Mars  seized  the  paddle,  and  endeavoured  to  keep  the 
proper  course.  .  .  ,   -,  j 

Suddenly  Gilbert  stopped  him.  The  mist  had  opened 
for  a  moment,  and  he  caught  sight  of  a  boat  close  behind 
them.  Had  her  men  seen  them?  Were  they  trying  to 
stop  the  way? 

'^Port!"  said  the  young  lieutenant. 
In  went  the  paddle,  and  in  a  few  strokes  the  gig  was 
out  of  the  line.  ,  „. 

But  again  voices  were  heard.  They  were  hailing  nois- 
ily. ,  It  was  evident  that  in  this  part  of  the  river  many 
boats  were  on  guard.  ,    ,  /      -, .1 

Suddenly,  as  if  a  powerful  gust  had  cleared  the  space,  the 
mist  fell  shattered  on  the  surface  of  the  St.  John's. 
Gilbert  could  not  restrain  a  shout  of  alarm. 
The  gig  was  in  the  centre  of  a  dozen  boats.  They 
were  on  the  watch  at  this  part  of  the  winding  channel 
which  the  bar  cut  across  in  a  long  slanting  line. 

"There  they  are!  There  they  are!"  came  from  the 
boats  around  them. 

"  Yesî  here  we  are,"  said  the  heutenant.  "  Take  your 
cutlass  and  revolver.  Mars,  and  we  will  defend  our- 
selves." ,  ^  .  X  i-u-  X  » 
Defend  themselves!  Two  against  thirty! 
In  a  moment  three  or  four  of  the  boats  were  alongside. 
Mars  and  Gilbert  fired  their  revolvers;  the  others  did  not 
fire  for  the  prisoners  were  to  be  taken  alive.  Three  or 
four  of  the  sailors  were  killed  or  wounded.  But  m  this 
unequal  strife,  how  could  Gilbert  and  his  companion  fail 
to  be  overpowered? 


m 


The  lieutenant  was  throttled  in  spite  of  his  energetic 
resistance,  and  dragged  on  to  one  of  the  boats. 

"Escape,  Mars!  escape!''  he  shouted  for  the  last  time. 

With  a  sweep  of  his  cutlass  Mars  released  himself  from 
the  man  who  held  him,  and  before  they  could  seize  him 
again  he  had  thrown  himself  into  the  river.  In  vain  they 
sought  to  recapture  him.  He  had  vanished  among  the 
whirlpools  of  the  bar,  where  the  tumultuous  waters  were 
being  lashed  into  torrents  by  the  return  of  the  rising 
tide.  ° 


CHAPTER  XV. 


SEKTEîfCE. 

Ak  hour  later  Gilbert  was  landed  at  Jacksonville.  The 
reports  of  the  revolvers  had  been  heard  up-stream.  Did 
they  mean  an  engagement  between  the  Confederate  boats 
and  the  Federal  flotilla?  Was  it  not  to  be  feared  that  the 
gunboats  had  cleared  the  channel?  No  wonder  that  there 
was  serious  excitement  among  the  townspeople!  Some  of 
them  rushed  to  the  stockades.  The  civil  authorities,  rep- 
resenfced  by  Texar  and  the  most  determined  of  his  parti- 
sans, had  followed  them.  All  were  looking  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  bar,  now  free  from  mist.  Field-glasses  and 
telescopes  were  in  constant  use.  But  the  distance  was  tooi 
great— about  three  miles— for  them  to  ascertain  the  im- 
portance of  the  engagement  or  its  results. 

The  flotilla  evidently  remained  at  the  anchorage  it  oc- 
*   cupied  the  night  before,  and  Jacksonville  need  not  fear 
an  immediate  attack  from  the  gunboats.    The  people  who 
had  most  deeply  committed  themselves  would  have  time 
to  escape  into  the  interior  of  Florida. 

If  Texar  and  two  or  three  of  his  companions  had  more 
reason  than  others  to  fear  for  their  safety,  there  appeared 
to  be  no  cause  for  anxiety  in  what  had  occurred.  The 
Spaniard  suspected  that  it  meant  the  capture  of  the  srig 
that  he  wanted  at  any  cost. 


136 


"  Yes,  at  any  cost/'  said  he,  endeavouring  to  recognize 
the  boat  as  it  neared  the  quay.  At  any  cost  this  son  of 
Burhank's  must  fall  into  the  snare  I  spread  for  him. 
Then  I  shall  hold  the  proof  that  James  Burbank  is  in 
communication  with  the  Federals!  And  when  I  have 
shot  the  son,  twenty- four  hours  shall  not  slip  by  before  I 
have  éhot  the  father  r 

Although  his  party  were  masters  of  Jacksonville,  Texar, 
after  the  discharge  of  James  Burbank,  had  been  waiting 
for  a  propitious  occasion  of  again  arresting  him.  The  op- 
portunity came  in  the  trap  laid  for  Gilbert  Burbank. 
W  ith  Gilbert  identified  as  a  Federal  officer,  arrested  in 
the  enemy^s  country,  condemned  as  a  spy,  the  Spaniard 
could  enjoy  his  revenge  to  the  full. 

Circumstances  served  him  well.  It  was  indeed  the  son 
of  the  Oamdless  Bay  planter  whom  they  were  bringing  to 
Jacksonville.  .  That  Gilbert  v/as  alone,  that  his  compan- 
ion had  been  drowned  or  saved  made  little  difference  so 
long  as  the  young  officer  was  captured.  Texar  had  only 
to  bring  him  before  a  committee  composed  of  his  parti- 
sans, where  he  would  preside  in  person. 

Gilbert  was  received  with  howls  and  threats  by  the  peo- 
ple, who  knew  him  well.  He  treated  the  shouts  with 
disdain.  He  gave  no  sign  of  fear,  although  a  detach- 
ment of  soldiers  had  to  be  called  up  to  protect  his  life 
anainst  the  violence  of  the  crowd.  But  when  he  saw 
Texar  he  could  not  restrain  himself,  and  would  have 
thrown  himself  on  him  had  he  not  been  stopped  by  the 
soldiers. 

Texar  did  not  move.  He  did  not  say  a  word.  He  pre- 
tended not  to  see  him,  and  allowed  him  to  be  taken  away 
with  the  most  perfect  indifference. 

A  few  minutes  afterwards  Gilbert  Burbank  found  him- 
self in  the  Jacksonville  prison.  There  could  be  no  doubt 
as  to  the  fate  for  which  the  Southerners  were  keeping 
him. 

In  about  an'hour  Mr.  Harvey,  James  Burbank's  corre- 
spondent, presented  himself  at  the  prison  and  attempted 
to  see  Gilbert.  He  was  denied  admission.  By  Texar's 
orders  the  lieutenant  was  kept  in  solitary  confinement. 
And  the  only  result  of  Mr.  Harvey's  application  was  that 
he  himself  wa^  put  under  strict  surveillance. 


SENTENCE.  137 

His  connection  with  the  Burbanks  was  known,  and  it 
was  not  m  accordance  with  Texar's  plans  that  Gilbert's 
arrest  should  immediately  be  known  at  Camdless  Bay 

When  the  verdict  was  given  and  the  sentence  pro- 
nounced It  would  be  time  enough  to  inform  James  Bur- 
bank  ot  what  had  passed,  and  when  he  was  informed  of 
It  there  would  be  no  time  for  him  to  leave  Castle  House 
and  escape  from  Texar. 

And  so  Mr.  Harvey  was  unable  to  send  a  messenger  to 
Lamdless  Bay.  An  embargo  had  been  put  on  all  the 
boats  m  the  port.  All  communication  was  shut  off  be- 
tween  the  left  and  right  banks  of  the  river.  While  h-'s 
lather  thought  he  was  safe  on  board  the  gunboat  the  lieu- 
tenant was  m  prison  at  Jacksonville. 

At  Castle  House  they  listened  with  anxiety  for  some 
distant  sound  of  firing  to  announce  the  arrival  of  the 
f  ederals  above  the  bar.  Jacksonville  in  the  hands  of  the 
bank  ^^^^^^  meant  Texar  in  the  hands  of  James  Bur- 

Not  a  sound  was  heard  from  downstream.  Overseer 
ir'erry  who  went  out  to  explore  the  St.  John's  up  to  the 
line  of  boats,  Pyg  and  one  of  the  assistant  overseers  sent 
three  miles  down  the  riverside  beyond  the  plantation, 
came  back  with  the  same  report.    The  flotilla  was  still  at 

stVfTr^^Sn^m  ^^'^^ 

And  besides,  howcould  they  cross  the  bar  ?  Admit- 
ting that  the  tide  rendered  it  practicable  sooner  thanthev 
hoped,  how  could  they  venture  along  the  intricate  chan- 
nel now  that  the  only  pilot  who  knew  the  soundings  was 
no  longer  with  them  ?  For  Mars  had  not  reappeared. 
And  if  James  Burbank  had  known  what  had  passed  after 
the  capture  of  the  gig,  would  he  not  have  believed  that 
A  %^?TVT  ^^?^P,a»ion  had  perished  in  the  whirlpools  ? 
And  if  Mars  had  been  saved,  would  not  his  first  care  have 
been  to  return  to  Camdless  Bay  as  it  was  impossible  for 
nim  to  return  on  board  ? 

Mars  had  not  appeared  at  the  plantation. 

Next  day,  the  11th  of  March,  about  eleven  o'clock,  the 
cZTr^fl  T'^^^t^'  ""It^  ï'^^'  P^'e«i<3ent,  in  the  very 
«^«^ntf  T  ^'^'"^^  ""ï^'^  the  Spaniard  had  made  his  chargé 
against  James  Burbank.    This  time,  the  charges  against 


138 


texar's  revenge. 


the  young  officer  were  too  serious  to  allow  of  his  escape. 
He  was  doomed  beforehand.  Once  this  business  of  the 
son  was  settled,  Texar  could  devote  himself  to  the  father. 
With  little  Dy  in  his  power,  Mrs.  Burbauk  would  suc- 
cumb to  the  successive  blows  he  had  dealt  her,  and  he 
would  be  avenged.  Did  it  not  seem  as  though  everything 
played  into  his  hands  to  help  him  gratify  his  implacable 
hatred? 

Gilbert  was  brought  from  his  prison.  The  crowd  ac- 
companied him,  groaning  and  yelling  as  on  the  previous 
evening.  When  he  entered  the  court,  where  Texar's  par- 
tisans were  already  in  force,  he  was  saluted  with  violent 
aproar. 

Death  to  the  spy  !    Death  \" 

Gilbert  took  it  all  very  coolly,  and  even  in  the  Span- 
iard's presence  kept  himself  well  under  control. 

"  Youf  name  is  Gilbert  Burbank,"  said  Texar.  "  And 
you  are  ah  officer  iû  the  Federal  Navy  ?" 

"  Yes."  .         ^  XT, 

"And  you  are  now  a  lieutenant  on  board  one  of  the 
gunboats  under  Oomma.idant  Stevens  ?" 
*'Yes." 

"  Yoii  are  the  son  of  Jaîiïes  Burbank,  a  Northerner,  the 
owner  of  the  plantation  at  Oamdless  Bay  ?" 
tfYes." 

"  You  admit  that  you  left  the  flotilla  anchored  below 
the  bar,  during  the  night  of  t)ie  .10th  of  March  ?" 
a  Yes." 

YouL  admit  that  you  were  captured  as  you  were  trying 
to  regain  the  flotilla  with  one  of  your  men?" 
**Yes." 

Will  you  tell  me  what  your  business  was  on  the  St. 
Job^'s?"  ,    ^  ^    ^.  ^  ^ 

"A  man  came  onboard  the  gunboiit  of  which  1  was 
second  in  command,  and  told  me  that  my  father's  planta- 
tion had  been  devastated  by  a  horde  of  scoundrels,  that 
Castle  House  had  been  besieged  by  thieves.  I  need  not 
tell  that  to  the  President  of  this  Committee,  who  is  per- 
sonally responsible  for  these  crimes." 

>'I  tell  Gilbert  Burbank,"  said  Texar,  "  that  /iis  father 
had  challenged  public  opinion  by  freeing  his  slaves,  that 
an  order  had  been  issued  commanding  the  new|y  freed 
slaves  to  disperse,  that  this  order  was  executed— 


SENTENCE, 


139 


"With  pillage  and  incendiarism,"  replied  Gilbert, 
''and  rape,  of  which  Texar  is  personally  the  author." 

"When  I  am  before  my  judges  I  will  reply,"  said  the 
Spaniard  coldly.  Gilbert  Burbank,  do  not  attempt  to 
change  our  positions.  You  are  the  accused,  not  the  ac- 
cuser." 

"  Yes,  the  accused — at  this  moment,  at  all  events,  but 
the  Federal  gunboats  have  only  the  bar  of  the  St.  John's 
between  them  and  Jacksonville,  and  then — " 

Then  the  uproar  broke  out  against  the  young  officer, 
who  dared  to  Ijrave  the  Southerners  to  their  face. 

"  Death  !    Death  !"  shouted  the  crowd  on  all  sides. 

The  Spaniard  with  difficulty  quieted  the  angry  crowd. 
Then  he  resumed  his  questions. 

"  Will  you  tell  us,  Gilbert  Burbank,  why  you  left  your 
ship  last  night  ?"  .  ^  ^ 

**To  see  my  dying  mother." 

"  You  admit,  then,  that  you  landed  at  Camdless  Bay?" 
"I  have  no  reason  to  hide  it." 
"And  only  to  see  your  mother?" 
"Only." 

"  We  have  reason  to  believe  you  had  another  object?" 
"What?" 

"  To  communicate  with  your  father,  James  Burbank, 
who  has  been  under  suspicion  for  some  time  of  being  in 
correspondence  with  the  Federal  army." 

"  You  know  that  is  not  true,"  replied  Gilbert  with  • 
very  natural  indignation.  "If  I  came  to  Camdless  Bay,  it 
was  not  as  an  officer,  but  as  a  son." 

"  Or  a  spy,"  said  Texar. 

The  shouts  began  again. 

*  '  Death  to  the  spy  !    Death  !" 

Gilbert  saw  that  he  was  lost,  and  what  was  a  terrible 
blow  to  him,  that  his  father  was  lost  with  him. 

"Yes,"  said  Texar,  "the  illness  of  your  mother  was 
only  a  pretext!  You  came  as  a  spy  to  Camdless  Bay  to 
report  to  the  Federals  the  state  of  the  defences  of  the 
St.  John's." 

Gilbert  rose. 

"  I  came  to  see  my  dying  mother,  as  you  know  well. 
Never  should  I  have  believed  that  in  a  civilized  country 
there  could  be  judges  who  would  consider  it  a  crime  for  a 


140 


tbxar's  revenge. 


sailor  to  come  to  his  mother's  deathbed,  even  in  the  en- 
emy'^ territory!  Let  him  who  blames  me  and  would  not 
do  likewise  dare  to  tell  me  so!" 

Men  in  whom  hatred  had  not  extinguished  all  feeling 
would  have  applauded  a  declaration  so  noble  and  frank. 
But  this  was  not  the  case  here. 

The  declaration  was  received  with  renewed  uproar; 
and  when  the  Spaniard  remarked  that  in  receiving  an 
officer  of  the  enemy  in  time  of  war,  James  Burbank  was 
as  guilty  as  the  officer,  his  statement  was  loudly  ap- 
plauded. 

Then  the  committee,  making  a  note  of  the  admissions 
as  to  the  father,  condemned  Lieutenant  Gilbert  Burbank, 
of  the  Federal  navy,  to  death. 

The  doomed  man  was  then  taken  back  to  prison  amid 
the  shouts  of  the  populace,  who  followed  him  with  cries 
of — 

"  Death  to  the  spy  !    Death  !" 

That  evening  a  detachment  of  the  Jacksonville  militia 
arrived  at  Oamdless  Bay.  The  officer  in  command  asked 
for  Mr.  Burbank. 

James  Burbank  came  forward  to  meet  him,  accom- 
panied by  Edward  Oarrol  and  Walter  Stannard. 

"What  is  it  they  want?"  asked  James  Burbank. 

'^Eead  that  order!"  answered  the  officer. 

The  order  was  to  arrest  James  Burbank,  as  the  accom- 
plice of  Gilbert  Burbank,  condemned  to  death  as  a  spy 
by  the  committee  of  Jacksonville,  and  who  was  to  be  shot 
within  twenty-four  hours. 


PART  II. 

TEXAR  THE  SOUTHERNER. 


CHAPTER  1/ 

AFTER  THE  CAPTURE. 


u  A  ^^t'^/h'''?.^  well-hated  name  that  Zermah 

had  shouted  into  the  darkness  at  the  moment  Mrs  Bur- 
bank  and  Alice  reached  the  bank  of  Marine  Creek  '  The 
girlr  had  recognized  the  Spaniard.  There  could 'be  no 
doubt  he  was  the  author  of  the  abduction,  of  which  he 
now  took  personal  charge. 

It  was  indeed  Texar,  and  with  him  were  half  a  dozen 
accomplices. 

wtT.^  ifT.^  ^  ÎÎ-  ^^^"^  planning  this  expedition, 
which  had  for  Its  object  the  devastation  of  Camdless  Bay 
the  pillage  of  Castle  House,  the  ruin  of  the  Burbank  fam- 
ily, and  the  capture  or  death  of  its  head.  It  was  with 
this  m  view  that  he  had  launched  his  horde  of  pillagers 
on  to  the  plantation.  But  he  had  not  put  himself  at  their 
head;  he  had  left  the  task  of  leading  them  to  a  few  of  the 
most  violent  of  his  partisans,  and  hence  John  Bruce  was 
right  when  he  assured  James  Burbank  that  Texar  was  not 
among  the  assailants. 

P  Jfif  w""^'  n  ^  existence  of  the  tunnel  between 

Castle  House  and  the  Creek.  If  the  house  was  captured, 
the  defenders  would  evidently  try  to  escape  down  the  tun- 
nel. Taking  a  boat  fi-om  Jacksonville,  and  followed  by 
miother  boat  with  Squambo  and  two  of  his  slaves,  he  had 


142 


texae's  revenge. 


come  to  the  creek  to  watch.  He  was  not  mistaken.  That 
he  saw  at  once  when  he  found  one  of  the  Oamdless  Bay 
boats  stationed  among  the  reeds.  The  blacks  in  charge 
of  it  were  surprised,  attacked,  aud  strangled.  All  that 
had  then  to  be  done  was  to  wait.  Soon  Zermah  appeared, 
and  with  her  the  little  girl.  Fearing  that  help  might 
come  in  answer  to  Zermah's  shouts,  the  Spaniard  had 
thrown  her  into  Squambo's  arms;  and  when  Mrs.  Burbank 
and  Alice  appeared  on  the  bank  Zermali  was  being  carried 
off  to  the  middle  of  the  river  in  the  Indian's  boat. 
We  know  the  rest. 

When  the  prisoners  were  secured,  Texar  did  not  think 
it  necessary  to  accompany  Squambo,  who  vyas  entirely  de- 
voted to  him,  and  knew  where  to  take  Zermah  and  Dy. 
And  when  the  three  cannon-shots  recalled  the  assailants 
from  storming  Castle  House  he  had  struck  off  obliquely 
across  the  St.  John's  and  disappeared. 

Where  had  he  gone?  ISTo  one  knew.  He  did  not  re- 
turn to  Jacksonville  during  the  night  of  the  3rd  and  4th 
of  March,  nor  for  twenty-four  hours  afterwards.  What 
was  the  meaning  of  this  strange  absence,  which  he  took 
no  trouble  to  explain?  No  one  could  tell.  But  it  would 
be  a  somewhat  compromising  circumstance  should  he  be 
charged  with  carrying  off  Dy  and  Zermah.  The  coinci- 
dence between  the  abductioii  and  his  disappearance  could 
not  but  tell  against  him.  Nevertheless,  he  did  not  return 
to  Jacksonville  till  the  morning  of  the  5th  to  take  the 
necessary  measures  for  the  defence  of  the  town— in  time 
enough,  however,  to  lay  the  snare  for  Gilbert  Burbank, 
and  preside  at  the  committee  which  sentenced  tlie  young 
officer  to  death. 

One  thing  was  certain,  and  that  was  that  Texar  was 
not  in  the  boat  with  Squambo,  which  was  carried  off  into 
the  gloom  by  the  rising  tide. 

Zermah,  knowing  that  her  shouts  would  not  be  heard 
on  the  deserted  banks  of  the  St.  John's,  was  silent.  She 
sat  in  the  stern  with  Dy  in  her  arms.  The  child  was 
quite  frightened,  and  uttered  not  a  single  complaint.  She 
clung  to  the  half-breed's  breast,  and  hid  herself  in  the 
folds  of  her  mantle.  Once  or  twice  only  did  a  few  words 
escape  her  lips. 

"Mamma!  mamma!  Good  Zermah,  I  am  afraid!  lam 
.^fraid!   I  want  to  see  mummal" 


AFTER  THE  CAPTFRE. 


143 


''Yes,  my  dear,"  answered  Zermah,  "we  shall  see  her. 
Never  fear;  I  am  near  you." 

At  the  same  moment,  Mrs.  Burbank  had  run  along  the 
right  bank  of  the  stream,  and  was  seeking  in  vain  to  fol- 
low her  daughter  as  she  was  borne  away  to  the  opposite 
side. 

,  The  darkness  was  then  profound.  The  fires  on  the 
estate  had  begun  to  subside,  but  not  without  several  ex- 
plosions. From  the  heavy  clouds  of  smoke  in  the  north 
the  flames  shot  up  but  seldom,  when  they  illuminated  the 
river  for  a  second  like  a  flash  of  lightning.  Then  all  was 
silent  and  dark.  The  boat  was  in  mid-stream,  and  the 
banks  could  not  be  seen.  It  could  not  have  been  more 
isolated,  more- alone,  in  the  open  sea. 

Whither/  was  Sqnambb  bound?  It  was  important  for 
Zermah  to  know.  To  ask  the  Indian  would  be  useless; 
and  so  she  tried  to  make  out  the  position  for  herself- — not 
an  easy  thing  to  do  in  the  darkness  while  Squambo  kept 
in  the  middle  of  the  St.  John's.  The  tide  was  running 
in,  and,  paddled  by  the  two  blacks,  the  boat  rapidly  sped 
to  the  south. 

And  would  it  not  be  wise  for  Zermah  to  leave  some 
trace  of  her  route,  so  as  to  help  her  master  in  his  search? 
But  on  the  river  that  was  impossible.  On  land,  a  rag  torn 
from  her  mantle  and  left  on  a  bush  might  be  the  begin- 
ning of  a  trail  which,  once  recovered,  might  be  followed 
to  the  end.  But  what  would  be  the  use  of  entrusting 
anything  to  the  stream?  Could  it  be  hoped  that  chance 
would  bring  it  to  James  Burbank's  hands?  The  idea 
must  be  given  up,  and  she  must  content  herself  with  as- 
certaining where  she  landed. 

An  hour  elapsed,  and  Squambo  had  not  uttered  a 
word.  The  two  slaves  paddled  in  silence.  No  light  ap- 
peared on  the  banks,  neither  in  the  houses  nor  under  the 
trees. 

Zermah  watched  right  and  left,  ready  to  note  the  least 
indication,  and  thinking  only  of  the  danger  which  threat- 
ened the  girl.  Of  her  own  danger  she  never  thought;  all 
her  fears  were'  concentrated  on  the  child.  It  was  Texar 
who  had  stolen  her— of  that  there  could  be  no  doubt. 
She  had  recognized  the  Spaniard,  who  had  been  at  Marine 
Qreek  either  with  the  intention  of  entering  Oastle  Uow 


144 


TEXAS's  REVENGE. 


through  the  tunnel  or  waiting  for  the  defenders  when 
they  attempted  to  escape.  If  Texar  had  not  been  in  such 
a  hurry,  Mrs.  Burbank  and  Alice  Stannard  would  now 
have  been  in  his  power.  If  he  had  not  headed  the  attack 
of  the  militia  and  rabble,  it  was  because  he  felt  surer  of 
securing  the  Burbank  family  at  Marine  Creek. 

In  any  case,  Texar  could  not  deny  that  he  had  taken 
part  in  the  seizure.  Zermah  had  shouted  his  name,  and 
Mrs.  Burbank  and  Alice  must  have  heard  her.  Later  on, 
when  the  hour  of  justice  came,  when  the  Spaniard  would 
have  to  answer  for  his  crimes,  he  would  not  on  this  occa- 
sion be  able  to  invoke  one  of  those  inexplicable  alibis  tliiit 
had  hitherto  succeeded  with  him. 

What  fate  had  he  in  reserve  for  his  victims?  Was  he 
going  to  banish  them  to  the  marshy  Everglades  beyond 
the  sources  of  the  St.  John's?  Did  he  look  upon  Zermah 
as  a  dangerous  witness,  whose  evidence  would  one  day 
ruin  him? 

Zerniah  would  willingly  have  sacrificed  her  life  to  save 
the  child  that  had  been  carried  away  with  her.  But  if 
she  were  dead,  what  would  become  of  Dy  in  the  hands  of 
Texar  and  his  companions?  The  thought  was  torture  to 
her,  and  she  clasped  the  girl  more  closely  to  her  heart,  as 
if  Squambo  had  shown  some  intention  of  taking  her 
away. 

Zermah  noticed  that  the  boat  was  nearing  the  left  bank 
of  the  river.  Would  that  give  her  any  clue?  No,  for 
she  did  not  know  that  the  Spaniard  lived  in  Black  Creek, 
on  one  of  the  islets  of  the  lagoon.  Even  Texar's  partisans 
were  ignorant  of  this,  for  no  one  had  ever  been  admitted 
to  the  blockhouse  which  he  occupied  with  Squambo  and 
the  blacks. 

It  was  to  Black  Creek  that  Squambo  was  taking  the 
prisoners.  In  that  mysterious  place  they  would  be  safe 
from  all  search.  The  creek  was,  so  to  speak,  impenetra- 
ble, for  no  one  knew  the  plan  of  its  waterways.  It  offered 
a  thousand  retreats  where  prisoners  could  be  hidden  with- 
out it  being  possible  to  discover  any  traces  of  them.  If 
James  Burbank  tried  to  explore  its  tangled  thickets,  there 
would  be  time  enough  to  remove  the  half-breed  and  child 
to  the  south  of  the  peninsula.  There  all  chance  would  be 
ipst  of  recovering  them  ai^id  the  yast  regions  which  thç 


145 


î^loridati  pioneers  rarely  visited,  and  the  unhealthy  plains 
where  only  Indians  wandered. 

The  forty-five  miles  between  Oamdless  Bay  and  Black 
Creek  were  quickly  covered.  About  eleven  o'clock  the 
boat  passed  the  bend  which  the  St.  John's  makes  two 
hundred  yards  below  the  creek.  All  tiiat  had  to  be  done 
was  to  find  the  entrance  to  the  lagoon — not  an  easy  thing 
to  do  in  the  profound  darkness  which  enveloped  the  left 
bank  of  the  river.  Squambo,  though  well  acquainted 
with  the  place,  kept  off  the  shore  as  much  as  posisible.  It 
would  have  been  easier  for  him  to  have  run  close  in,  but 
the  bank  was  cut  into  by  a  number  of  small  creeks  bristling 
with  reeds  and  other  aquatic  plants,  and  he  was  afraid 
of  running  aground.  And  as  the  tide  had  turned,  he 
would  be  in  a  difficulty  were  he  to  do  so.  He  would  have 
to  wait  nearly  eleven  hours  till  the  tide  came  back,  and 
how  could  he  avoid  being  seen  during  that  time  ?  There 
were  always  a  good  many  boats  on  the  river,  and  now 
events  necessitated  constant  communication  between 
Jacksonville  and  St.  Augustine.  If  the  members  of  the 
Burbank  family  had  not  perished  in  the  attack  on  Castle 
House  they  would  be  sure  to  begin  an  active  search  in  the 
morning,  and  Squambo  stuck  on  a  shoal  at  the  foot  of  the 
bank  would  inevitably  be  seen.  It  would  be  a  dangerous 
position,  and  for  many  reasons  it  was  better  for  him  to 
remain  in  the  stream,  even,  if  necessary,  to  anchor  and 
wait  for  the  dawn,  when  he  could  be  sure  of  his  road. 

Suddenly  he  heard  a  noise  approaching  him.    It  was 
^the  sound  of  paddle-wheels.    And  almost  immediately  a 
moving  mass  appeared  ronnd  the  bend  of  the  left  bank. 

A  steamboat  was  advancing  at  half-speed.  In  less  than 
a  minute  it  would  be  upon  them. 

By  a  gesture  Squambo  stopped  his  men,  and  with  a 
movement  of  the  rudder  turned  the  boat's  head  towards 
the  right  bank  so  as  to  avoid  being  seen. 

But  the  boat  had  been  sighted  by  the  look-out  onboard, 
and  she  was  hailed  from  the  steamer. 

Squambo  muttered  a  terrible  oath.  But  he  had  to 
obey. 

A  moment  afterwards  he  ran  alongside  the  steamer, 
which  had  stopped  to  wait  for  him. 
Zemab  at  ouce  rose  from  her  seat,   Here  was  a  chance 


of  sjifefcy,    Oould  she  not  appe;il  for  help,  make  herself 

known,  and  escape  from  Squambo  ? 

The  Indian  rose  at  the  same  moment,  bowie-knife  in 

hand.    With  the  other  hand  he  caught  hold  of.Dy,  whom 

Zermah  in  vain  tried  to  snatch  from  him. 
^'One  word,"  he  said,  "and  I  will  kill  her/' 
If  it  had  been  her  own  life  that  was  threatened,  Zermah 

would  not  have  hesitated.    But  as  it  was  the  child's,  she 

was  silent. 

From  the  deck  of  the  steamer  nothing  could  be  seen  of 
what  was  taking  place  in  the  boat. 

The  steamer  was  coming  from  Picolata,  where  she  had 
embarked  a,  detachment  of  militia  for  Jacksonville,  to  re- 
inforce the  Southern  troops  defending  the  mouth  of  the 
river. 

An  officer  leaning  over  the  bridge  spoke  to  the  Indian: 

Where  are  you  going  ?" 
"  Picolata." 

Zermah  took  note  of  the  name,  although  she  knew  that 
Squambo  wished  to  keep  secret  his  real  destination. 
"  Where  do  you  come  from  ?" 

Jacksonville." 
"  Any  news  there  ?" 
"No." 

"Nothing  about  Dupont's  flotilla  ?" 
"Nothing." 

"No  news  since  the  attack  on  Fernandina  and  Fort 
Clinch  ?" 
"No." 

"No  gunboats  in  the  St.  John's  ?" 
"None." 

"  What  was  the  meaning  of  the  lights  we  saw,  and  the 
reports  we  heard,  while  we  were  at  anchor  waiting  for  the 
tide  to  turn  ?" 

"An  attack  on  Oamdless  Bay  plantation." 

"By  the  Northerners  ?" 
No.    By  the  Jacksonville  Militia.    The  planter  de- 
fied the  orders  of  the  committee — " 

"  Eight  !  Right  I  You  mean  James  Burbank,  the  mad 
abolitionist  ?" 

"Just  so." 

**What  was  the  result?" 


AiPl'EE  THE  CAPTTJEiE. 


I  do  not  know.  I  only  saw  it  as  I  passed.  It  looked 
as  though  everything  was  in  flames/' 

At  this  moment  a  feeble  cry  escaped  from  the  child's 
lips.  Zermah  put  her  hand  on  Dy's  mouth  as  the  ludian'a 
fingers  felt  for  her  neck.  The  officer  on  the  bridge  heard 
nothing. 

"  Were  the  guns  in  action  at  Camdless  Bay?" 
"  I  do  not  think  so." 
Why  the  three  reports  which  seemed  to  come  from 
Jacksonville  ?" 

I  do  not  know." 

Is  the  St.  John's  clear  from  Picolata  to  the  bar?" 
Quite  clear,  and  you  need  not  trouble  yourself  about 
the  gunboats." 

"All  right.    Sheer  off!" 

An  order  was  sent  down  to  the  engine-room,  and  the 
steamer  resumed  her  way. 

"  Can  you  answer  me  a  question  ?"  asked  Squambo. 
"  What  ?"  asked  the  officer. 

"  The  night  is  very  dark.    I  hardly  know  where  I  am." 
"  Off  Black  Creek." 
"Thank  you." 

The  paddle-wheels  churned  the  river  face,  and  gradu- 
ally the  steamer  disappeared  in  the  night,  leaving  behind 
her  a  considerable  troubling  of  the  waters. 

Squambo,  left  alone  in  mid-stream,  sat  down  in  the 
canoe  and  gave  the  order  to  resume  paddling.  He  knew 
his  position,  and  starboarding  his  helm  headed  straight 
for  the  opening  of  Black  Creek. 

That  it  was  to  this  place  of  such  difficult  access  that 
the  Indian  was  taking  them,  Zermah  could  no  longer 
doubt,  and  little  good  did  the  ^knowledge  do  her.  How 
could  she  tell  her  master,  and  how  could  he  succeed  in 
searching  this  impenetrable  labyrinth  ?  At  the  back  of 
the  creek  were  there  not  the  forests  of  Duval  county  of- 
fering every  facility  for  evading  pursuit,  in  case  James 
Burbank  managed  to  get  through  the  lagoon?  This  part 
of  eastern  Florida  was  in  those  days  a  lost  country,  in 
which  it  was  al^most  impossible  to  find  a  trail.  Nor  was  it 
prudent  to  venture  on  doing  so.  The  Seminoles  wandered 
about  the  forest  and  marshlands,  and  were  formidable 
enemies.    They  robbed  the  travellers  who  fell  into  their 


148 


texae's  revenge. 


hands,  and  massacred  those  who  attempted  to  defend 
themselyes. 

A  strange  affair,  much  talked  of  at  the  time,  had  hap- 
pened in  the  upper  part  of  the  county  a  little  to  the 
northwest  of  Jacksonville. 

Twelve  Floridans  had  landed  on  the  coast  of  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico  and  been  surprised  by  a  tribe  of  Seminoles. 
They  bad  not  been  put  to  death  because  they  had  made 
no  resistance,  which,  as  they  were  one  to  ten,  was  not  to 
be  thought  of.  They  were  stripped,  and  robbed  of  all 
they  possessed,  even  of  their  clothes.  They  were  forbid- 
den, on  pain  of  instant  execution,  to  again  enter  the  ter- 
ritory, which  the  Indians  claimed  as  their  own;  and,  to 
recognize  them  in  case  they  disobeyed  the  order,  the  chief 
of  the  tribe  availed  himself  of  a  very  simple  device.  He 
tattooed  them  on  the  arm  in  a  curious  way  with  the  juice 
of  a  dye-plant  and  a  needle-point,  so  that  they  could  not 
remove  the  mark.  Without  further  ill-treatment,  they 
were  turned  adrift.  They  reached  the  northern  planta- 
tions in  a  piteous  plight,  branded,  so  to  speak,  with  the 
crest  of  the  Indian  tribe,  and  not  at  all  anxious,  as  may 
be  imagined,  to  again  fall  into  the  hands  of  these  Semi- 
noles, who  would  massacre  them  in  order  to  honour  their 
signature. 

At  any  other  time  the  militia  of  Duval  county  would 
not  have  allowed  such  a  proceeding  to  pass  with  impunity. 
They  would  have  gone  off  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians.  But 
at  present  they  had  something  else  to  do  besides  under- 
taking an  expedition  against  the  nomads.  The  fear  of 
seeing  their  country  invaded  by  the  Northerners  over- 
shadowed everything.  Their  only  object  was  to  prevent 
the  Northerners  becoming  masters  of  the  St.  John's  and 
the  district  it  watered,  and  they  could  not  spare  a  man 
from  the  Southern  forces  at  Jacksonville  and  on  the 
Georgian  frontier.  There  would  be  time  enough  later  on 
to  take  the  field  against  the  Seminoles,  when  they  had 
been  emboldened  by  the  Civil  War  to  the  point  of  mvad- 
ing  the  enemy's  territory.  Then  they  would  not  be  con- 
tented to  drive  them  back  into  the  Everglades,  but  would 
endeavour  to  destroy  them  to  the  last  man. 

It  was  thus  dangerous  to  venture  into  the  territoriea 
of  Western  Florida;  and  if  James  Burbank  pushed  his 


researches  in  that  direction,  it  would  be  to  meet  with 
more  than  the  usual  dangers. 

The  boat  had  reached  the  left  bank  of  the  river.  Squam- 
bo,  knowing  where  Black  Creek  enters  the  St.  John's,  had 
no  fear  of  grounding  on  a  shoal,  and  in  less  than  five 
minutes  he  was  under  the  branching  trees  in  darkness 
deeper  than  that  extending  over  the  river.  Accustomed 
as  he  was  to  the  navigation  of  the  network  of  the  lagoon, 
he  could  advance  without  fear,  but  as  he  could  no  longer 
be  seen,  why  should  he  not  have  more  light  on  his  path? 
A  resinous  branch  was  cut  from  one  of  the  trees,  and 
lighted,  and  stuck  in  the  bow  of  the  boat,  -so  that  its 
smoky  light  showed  the  way.  In  about  half  an  hour 
Squambo  traversed  the  meanderings  of  the  creek,  and  at 
last  he  reached  the  island  of  the  blockhouse. 

Zermah  was  there  made  to  land.  Overcome  with  fa- 
tigue, the  Ittle  girl  was  asleeip  in  her  arms.  She  did  not 
wake  when  the  half-breed  entered  the  door  of  the  fortress 
and  was  shut  up  in  one  of  the  rooms  communicating  with 
the  central-redoubt. 

Dv,  wrapped  in  a  covering  which  was  dragged  from  one 
of  the  corners,  was  laid  on  a  sort  of  pallet.  Zermah 
watched  by  her  side. 


CHAPTER  II. 

A  STRANGE  OPERATIOIf. 

lîT  the  morning,  at  eight  o'clock — it  was  the  3rd  of 
March — Squambo  entered  the  room  where  Zermah  had 
passed  the  night.  He  brought  some  food — bread,  a  piece 
of  cold  venison,  fruits,  a  jug  of  strong  beer,  a  pitcher  of 
water,  and  the  different  utensils  for  the  table.  At  the 
same  time,  one  of  the  blacks  placed  in  one  of  the  corners 
an  old  piece  of  furniture  with  toilet  necessaries,  towels, 
and  other  things  for  the  half-breed's  own  use  and  that  of 
the  little  girl. 


m 


Dy  was  still  asleep.  By  a  gesture  Zermah  had  besought 
Squambo  not  to  wake  her. 

When  the  negro  had  gone  out,  Zermah  asked  the  In- 
dian in  a  low  voice, — 

What  are  they  going  to  do  with  us  ?" 

"I  do  not  know,"  said  Squambo. 
What  orders  have  you  had  from  Texar?" 

"  Whether  they  come  from  Texar  or  from  somebody 
else  they  are  these,  and  you  would  do  well  to  conform  to 
them.    So  long  as  you  are  here,  this  room  will  be  yours, 
and  you  will  be  kept  in  it  during  the  night." 
And  during  the  day?" 

"  You  can  walk  about  the  enclosure." 
While  we  are  here.    But  where  are  we?" 
Where  I  was  told  to  bring  you." 
And  are  we  to  remain  here?" 

"  I  have  said  what  I  had  to  say,"  said  the  Indian.  "  It 
is  useless  to  ask  me  more;  I  shall  not  answer." 

And  Squambo,  whose  manner  gave  no  hope  of  further 
conversation,  left  the  room. 

Zermah  looked  at  the  girl.  A  few  tears  rose  to  her  eyes, 
tears  which  she  at  once  wiped  away.  It  would  never  do 
for  Dy,  when  she  awoke,  to  see  that  she  had  been  crying. 
It  was  necessary  that  the  child  should  gradually  become 
accustomed  to  her  new  position,  precarious  as  it  might  be, 
for  all  depended  on  the  Spaniard. 

Zermah  thought  over  what  had .  passed  during  the 
night.  She  had  seen  Mrs.  Burbank  and  Alice  on  the 
bank  while  the  boat  moved  away.  Their  desperate  ap- 
peals, their  heartrending  cries,  had  reached  her.  But 
had  they  been  able  to  get  back  to  Castle  House  along  the 
tunnel,  reach  the  besieged,  and  tell  James  Burbank  and 
his  companions  of  the  new  misfortune  that  had  fallen  on 
them  ?  Had  they  been  captured  by  the  Spaniard's  men, 
dragged  far  from  Camdless  Bay,  killed  perhaps  ?  If  so, 
James  Burbank  would  not  know  that  his  child  had  been 
carried  off  with  Zermah.  He  would  think  that  his  wife, 
Alice,  his  daughter,  and  the  half-breed  had  got  away 
from  Marine  Creek  and  reached  Cedar  Eock  in  safety. 
He  would  then  make  no  immediate  search  for  their  re- 
covery! 

Supposing  that  Mrs.  Burbank  and  Alice  had  got  back 


151 


to  Castle  House,  and  James  Burbank  knew  everything, 
was  there  Tiot  cause  to  fear  that  the  house  had  been  en- 
tered by  the  assailants,  pillaged,  burnt,  destroyed  ?  In 
that  case,  what  had  become  of  its  defenders?  If  they  had 
been  made  prisoners  or  killed  in  the  struggle,  Zermah 
could  not  hope  for  any  assistance  on  their  part.  Even  if 
the  Northerners  had  become  masters  of  the  St.  John^s 
she  was  lost.  JSTeither  Gilbert  Burbank  nor  Mars  would 
know  that  the  sister  of  one  and  the  wife  of  the  other 
were  imprisoned  in  this  islet  in  Black  Creek. 

And  although  these  things  were  so,  and  Zermah  had 
only  herself  to  look  to,  her  energy  would  not  leave  her. 
She  would  do  all  she  could  to  save  this  child  who  had 
perhaps  only  her  in  the  world  to  look  to.  Her  life  would 
centre  in  this  idea — escape  !  Not  an  hour  should  pass 
without  her  doing  something  towards  doing  so. 

But  was  it  possible  to  escape  from  the  fortress  watched 
by  Squambo  and  his  companions,  to  get  away  from  the 
ferocious  bloodhounds  that  prowled  around  the  enclosure, 
to  fly  from  this  island  lost  in  the  thousand  windings  of 
the  lagoon  ?  Yes,  it  was  possible,  but  only  on  condition 
that  she  was  secretly  helped  by  one  of  the  slaves  who 
knew  the  channels  of  Black  Creek.  Why  should  not  the 
temptation  of  a  large  reward  induce  one  of  the  men  to 
help  her  in  her  escape  ?  That  was  the  direction  in  which 
she  must  work. 

J)j  had  just  awoke.  The  first  word  she  uttered  was  a 
call  for  her  mother.  Then  she  looked  round  the  room. 
The  remembrance  of  last  night's  events  returned  to  her. 
She  saw  the  half-breed,  and  ran  to  her. 

"Good  Zermah  !  Good  Zermah  V  she  murmured,  '^I 
am  afraid  !  I  am  afraid  !" 

"You  must  not  be  afraid,  my  dear." 

"  Where  is  mamma  ?" 

"She  will  come — soon.  We  have  been  obliged  to  save 
ourselves — as  you  know  !  We  are  now  in  safety.  There 
is  nothing  to  fear.  As  soon  as  they  have  helped  your 
father,  he  will  come  to  us." 

Dy  Iboked  at  Zermah,  as  much  as  to  say — 

"Is  that  really  true?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Zermah,  who  wished  to  give  the  child  con- 
fidence at  any  cost.  "  Yes,  Mr.  Burbank  told  us  to  wait 
for  him  here/' 


"  But  the  men  who  took  us  away  in  the  boat?''  said  the 
child,  returning  to  the  charge. 

"They  are  the  servants  of  Mr.  Harvey,  my  dear.  You 
know  Mr.  Harvey,  your  father's  friend  who  lives  at  Jack- 
sonville.   We  are  in  his  cottage  at  Hampton  Red." 

"  And  mamma  and  Alice,  who  were  with  us,  why  are 
they  not  here?" 

Mr.  Burbank  called  them  back  as  they  were  going  to 
get  into  the  boat.  Do  you  not  remember?  As  soon  as 
the  naughty  men  have  been  hunted  from  Camdless  Bay, 
they  will  come  and  look  for  you.  See  now!  Don't  cry! 
Don't  be  afraid,  my  dear,  even  if  we  stay  here  for  some 
days.  We  are  well  hidden.  And  now  let  me  put  you 
straight." 

Dy  kept  her  eyes  obstinately  fixed  on  Zermah,  and  not- 
withstanding what  she  had  been  told,  a  heavy  sigh  es- 
caped her  lips.  She  had  not  woke  with  a  smile  as  she 
usually  did.  It  was  important  to  keep  her  busy  to  dis- 
tract her  attention. 

And  Zermah  tried  to  do  so  with  the  most  tender  solici- 
tude. She  performed  her  toilet  with  as  much  care  as  if 
the  child  were  at  Castle  House,  and  at  the  same  time 
tried  to  amuse  her  with  her  stories.  Then  Dy  ate  a  little, 
and  Zermah  shared  her  first  breakfast  with  her. 

"Now,  my  dear,  if  you  like,  we  will  go  out  into  the 
enclosure." 

"  Is  Mr.  Harvey's  cottage  very  nice?"  asked  the  child. 

"Nice?  No!"  said  Zermah.  "I  think  it  is  an  old 
hovel.  But  there  are  trees  and  watercourses,  and  a  place 
where  we  can  walk.  We  shall  stay  here  for  some  days, 
and  if  you  are  not  too  tired,  and  are  very  good,  mamma 
will  be  pleased." 

"Yes,  good  Zermah,  I  will  be  good!"  said  the  littls 
girl. 

The  door  of  the  room  was  not  locked.  Zermah  took 
the  child's  hand  and  went  out  with  her.  They  first 
found  themselves  in  the  central  redoubt  where  it  was 
dark.  A  moment  afterwards  they  were  in  full  daylight 
beneath  the  foliage  of  the  great  trees  through  which  the 
sun  shot  its  rays. 

The  enclosure  was  not  large;  it  was  about  an  acre  in 
extent,  and  of  this  the  blockhouse  occupied  the  greater 


A  STEANGE  OPEBATION. 


I5S 


portion.  The  palisade  which  surrounded  it  did  not  allow 
Zermah  to  reconnoitre  the  position  of  the  island  in  the 
lagoon.  All  she  could  see  through  the  old  gateway  was  a 
tolerably  wide  channel,  with  troubled  waters  separating 
it  from  the  neighbouring  islands.  A  woman  and  a  child 
could  not  but  find  it  difficult  to  escape.  Even  supposing 
Zermah  could  get  possession  of  a  boat,  how  could  she  get 
out  of  the  interminable  labyrinth?  She  did  not  know 
that  Texar  and  Squambo  alone  knew  the  way,  for  the 
negroes  rarely  left  the  blockhouse.  To  reach  the  St. 
John's,  or  the  marshes  to  the  west  of  the  creek,  she 
would  have  to  trust  to  chance.  And  was  not  that  run- 
ning to  certain  destruction  ? 

During  the  next  day  or  two  Zermah,  on  thinking  mat- 
ters over,  saw  that  no  help  could  be  hoped  from  Texar's 
slaves.  They  were  for  the  most  part  half -brutish  negroes 
of  forbidding  appearance.  The  Spaniard  did  not  keep 
them  chained,  but  they  had  not  more  liberty  than  if  he 
had.  With  plenty  to  eat  grown  on  the  island,  and  ad- 
dicted to  strong  drink,  which  Squambo  was  not  at  all 
stingy  in  giving  them,  and  specially  kept  for  defending 
the  blockhouse,  they  had  no  interest  in  changing  their 
existence  for  another.  The  slave  question  debated  a  few 
miles  from  Black  Creek  had  no  interest  for  them.  To 
gain  their  freedom?  Why?  And  what  would  they  do 
with  it?  Texar  assured  their  existence,  and  Squambo 
did  not  ill-treat  them,  although  he  would  have  smashed 
the  head  of  the  first  man  who  advised  them  to  mutiny. 
They  never  dreamt  of  such  a  thing.  They  were,  indeed, 
brutes  inferior  to  the  hounds  prowling  round  the  pali- 
sade. And  without  exaggeration  it  could  be  said  that 
the  hounds  excelled  them  in  intelligence,  for  they  knew 
all  the  ins  and  outs  of  the  creek,  and  swam  its  multiple 
passes,  running  from  islet  to  islet,  guided  by  a  marvellous 
instinct  which  never  led  them  astray.  Often  their  bark 
would  be  heard  along  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  and  be- 
fore night  they  would  come  back  to  the  blockhouse  all 
by  themselves.  No  boat  could  enter  Black  Creek  with- 
out being  at  once  discovered  by  these  formidable  guar- 
dians. Except  Squambo  and  Texar,  no  one  would  dare 
to  leave  the  fortress  without  running  the  risk  of  beinff 
devoured  hj  these  savage  Carib  dogs. 


154 


texar's  revenge. 


When  Zermah  saw  how  the  enclosure  was  watched, 
when  she  saw  she  could  expect  no  help  from  those  who 
guarded  her,  it  might  be  thought  that  she  gave  up  all 
thought  of  escape  in  despair.  But  she  did  not.  Help 
might  come  from  outside,  and  in  that  case  it  would  come 
from  James  Bur  bank,  if  he  was  free  to  act,  or  from  Mars 
wheh  Mars  learnt  how  his  wife  had  disappeared.  Failing 
these  she  must  depend  on  herself  for  the  child^s  safety. 
And  she  would  be  equal  to  the  task. 

Isolated  in  this  lagoon,  she  saw  herself  surrounded 
only  by  brutish  men.  Sometimes  she  thought  that  one 
of  the  negroes,  who  was  still  young,  looked  at  her  with 
pity.  Was  there  any  hope  in  that?  Could  she  trust 
him  to  tell  her  the  way  to  Oamdless  Bay,  and  help  her 
to  escape  to  Castle  House?  It  was  doubtful.  And 
Squambo  had  evidently  noticed  that  the  slave  was  taking 
an  interest  in  her,  for  now  he  was  kep^  away,  and  Zer- 
mah met  him  no  more  in  her  walks  about  the  enclosure. 

Several  days  passed  and  there  was  no  change  in  the 
circumstances.  From  morning  till  night  Zermah  and  Dy 
were  at  liberty  to  move  about  as  they  chose.  When  night 
came,  although  Squambo  did  not  lock  them  in  their  room, 
yet  he  did  not  allow  them  to  leave  the  central  redoubt! 
He  never  spoke  to  them,  and  Zermah  had  given  up  all 
attempts  to  question  him.  Not  for  a  moment  did  he 
seem  to  leave  the  island.  She  felt  that  his  watch  over 
them  was  unceasing.  And  she  employed  herself  in  look- 
ing after  the  child,  who  constantly  asked  for  her  mother. 

She  will  come  !"  Zermah  would  reply.  "  I  have  had 
news  of  her.  Your  father  will  come  too,  my  dear,  and 
with  Miss  Alice.''  ' 

And  when  she  had  said  this  she  knew  not  what  else  to 
imagine  ;  and  then  she  did  her  best  to  amuse  the  child, 
who  showed  more  sense  than  could  be  expected  at  her 
age. 

The  4th,  5th,  and  6th  of  March  went  by.  Although 
Zermah  listened  for  some  distant  detonation  to  announce 
the  presence  of  the  Federal  flotilla  on  the  waters  of  the 
St.  John's,  no  sound  reached  her.  All  was  silence  at 
Black  Creek.  It  was  reasonable  to  suppose  that  Florida 
did  not  yet  belong  to  the  soldiers  of  the  North.  And 
this  increased  the  half-breed's  anxiety  to  the  utmost. 


A  STRANGE  OPERATION. 


155 


Failing  James  Buibank,  she  must  trust  to  Gilbert  and 
Mars.  And  what  was  very  strange  was  that  the  Spaniard 
had  not  once  shown  himself  at  the  blockhouse,  either  in 
the  day  or  the  night.  At  least,  Zermah  saw  nothing  to 
make  her  think  so.  And  she  scarcely  slept,  passing  her 
long  hours  of  insomnia  in  listening — always  in  vain. 

What  could  she  do  if  Texar  came  to  Black  Creek  ? 
Would  he  listen  to  her  prayers  or  her  threats  ?  Was  not 
the  Spaniard's  presence  more  to  be  feared  than  his 
absence  ? 

It  was  the  night  of  the  6th  of  March,  and  about  eleven 
o'clock.  For  the  thousandth  time  Zermah  was  thinking 
over  these  things,  as  little  Dy  quietly  slept.  The  room 
which  served  them  for  a  cell  was  in  deep  darkness.  No 
sound  was  heard  without,  except  the  whistling  of  the 
wind  along  the  crumbling  planks  of  the  blockhouse. 

Suddenly  she  heard  some  one  walking  into  the  central 
redoubt.  At  first  she  supposed  it  was  the  Indian  going 
to  his  room  opposite  hers,  after  making  his  usual  round 
to  see  that  all  was  safe. 

Then  she  heard  a  few  words  spoken  by  two  voices.  She 
glided  to  the  door,  and  placed  her  ear  close  to  it,  and 
listened.  She  recognized  Squambo's  voice,  and  almost 
immediately  afterwards  Texar's. 

A  shudder  seized  her.  What  did  the  Spaniard  want  at 
this  hour  ?  Was  it  some  new  scheme  against  her  and  the 
child  ?  Were  they  going  to  take  them  from  their  room, 
carry  them  to  some  more  unknown  retreat,  more  impene- 
trable than  this  of  Black  Creek  ?  In  a  moment  all  these 
suppositions  presented  themselves.  Then  her  energy 
took  the' upper  hand,  and  she  leant  against  the  door  and 
listened. 

"  Nothing  new  ?"  said  Texar. 

"  Nothing,  master,"  said  Squambo. 

"And  Zermah?" 

"  I  refused  to  answer  her  questions." 
"  Have  any  attempts  been  made  to  reach  them  from 
Camdless  Bay  ?" 

"Yes,  but  none  have  succeeded." 

From  this  reply  Zermah  learnt  that  people  WTO 
gearching  for  them.    Who  could  they  bç  ? 
Hqw  do  you  know  ?" 


166 


texar's  retinge. 


"  I  have  been  several  times  to  the  river-bank,"  said  the 
Indian.  And  a  day  or  two  ago  I  saw  a  boat  lying  off 
the  Creek.  The  two  men  landed  on  one  of  the  islands  by 
the  bank." 

**  Who  were  these  two  men  ?" 

"James  Burbank  and  Walter  Stapnard." 

Zermah  could  hardly  restrain  her  emotion.  James 
Burbank  and  Walter  Stannard  !  And  so  the  defenders 
of  Castle  House  had  not  perished  in  the  attack  on  the 
plantation.  And  if  they  had  begun  to  search,  it  was 
because  they  knew  that  she  and  the  child  had  been 
carried  off.  And  if  they  knew  that,  it  must  be  because 
Mrs.  Burbank  and  Alice  had  told  them  so.  So  that  they 
were  alive,  and  they  must  have  got  back  to  Castle  House 
after  hearing  her  last  shout  for  help  against  Texar. 
James  Burbank  thus  knew  what  had  happened.  He 
knew  the  scoundrel's  name.  Perhaps  he  even  suspected 
where  he  had  hidden  his  victims.  He  might  even  reach 
them  ! 

This  chain  of  thought  linked  itself  together  instantly 
in  Zermah's  mind.  A  great  hope  took  possession  of  her 
— a  hope  that  vanished  immediately  when  she  heard  the 
Spaniard  answer — 

*^Yes!  Let  them  search,  and  they  will  never  find 
them.  In  a  few  days  we  need  have  no  fear  of  James 
Burbank  !" 

What  these  words  meant  Zermah  could  not  divine  ;  but, 
coming  from  the  man  whom  Jacksonville  obeyed,  they 
were  a  formidable  menace. 

"  And  now,  Squambo,  I  want  you  for  an  hour,"  said 
the  Spaniard. 

''Right." 

"Follow  me." 

A  moment  afterwards  they  had  entered  the  Indian's 
room. 

What  were  they  doing  there  ?  Was  it  some  secret  that 
Zermah  ought  to  know  ?  In  her  position  she  should 
neglect  nothing  that  might  be  of  use  to  her. 

Her  room  door,  as  we  know,  was  not  locked  during  the 
night.  The  precaution  would  have  been  useless,  as  the 
redoubt  was  locked,  and  Squambo  kept  the  key.  It  was 
impossible  to  get  out  of  the  blockhouse,  aud  oonsequently 
tQ  attempt  escape, 


A  STRANGE  OPERATION.  157 

1,  ^r^^Y'^^Y}^  ^P®^  ^'^^  ^^^^  step  out.  She 
held  her  breath  as  she  did  so.  ^  ^ 

The  darkness  was  intense.  Only  a  few  streaks  of  li^ht 
came  from  the  Indian's  room.  ^ 

Zermah  crept  to  the  door,  and  peeped  through  the 
crack  between  two  planks.  What  she  saw  was  too  strange 
lor  her  to  understand  its  meaning.  ^ 

Although  the  room  was  lighted  only  by  the  fag-end  of  a 
resmous  torch,  the  light  was  enough  f 0/  the  Indian,  who 
was  occupied  m  a  work  of  great  delicacy 

Texar  was  seated  in  front  of  him,  with  his  leather  coat 
thrown  back  and  with  his  left  arm  bare  and  stretched  out 
on  a  httle  table  just  under  the  light  of  the  torch.  A  piece 
of  paper  of  curious  shape,  pierced  with  little  ^es,  was 
laid  on  the  inner  part  of  the  forearm.  With  a  fine  needle 
bquambo  pricked  the  skin  in  every  place  where  there  was 
a  hole  m  the  paper.  The  Indian  was  tattooing,  and,  as  a 
bemmole  he  was  an  expert  at  such  work.  He  did  it  with 
such  skill  and  hghtness  of  hand^  that  the  epidermis  was 

fetn^thS^^^^  ^P--^ 
When  he  had  done  Squambo  lifted  the  paper  ;  then, 

ht^'l  ^  \Z^^T'  ^  P\"^*  ^^^^^^  brought  with 
him  he  rubbed  them  oyer  the  fore-arm.    The  sap  of  the 

itht^wl'''^^  r'^^'  punctures  caused  a  sharp 
itching,  but  the  Spaniard  was  not  the  man  to  trouble  him- 
self about  such  small  matters. 

Tnis  part  of  the  operation  over,  Squambo  held  the 
torch  close  to  the  tattooed  place.  A  reddish  design  then 
appeared  on  the  skin.  The  design  was  an  exact^copy  of 
that  formed  by  the  needle-holes  in  the  paper.  It  was  a 
series  of  mter-crossed  lines,  representing  one  of  the^™! 
bohc  figures  of  the  Seminole  religion.  ^The  mark  couTd 
LTpuTit       "^"""^  ^''"^  ^^i^^  ^^^^^^o 

Zermah  had  seen  it  all,  and,  as  we  have  said,  could 
understand  nothing  of  it.  What  interest  could  Texar 
havembemgthustattooed?    Why  this  -  partLXr  sin  -  " 

hi^  doTn^l  ^dniit  of 

mlvkZdZil^\^tl\^''^  connection  between  this 
mark  and  that  which  had  been  put  on  the  Floridans  who 


158 


texar's  revenge. 


had  been  robbed  by  the  Seminoles  ?  And,  on  account  of 
it,  was  he  going  to  prove  one  of  those  inexplicable  alibis 
which  had  hitherto  stood  him  in  such  good  stead  ? 

Perhaps  this  was  one  of  the  secrets  of  his  life  which  the 
future  would  reveal. 

Another  question  presented  itself  to  Zermah.  Had  not 
the  Spaniard  come  to  the  blockhouse  to  avail  himself  of 
Sqaambo's  cleverness  as  a  tattooer?  Was  he  going  back  to 
Jacksonville,  where  his  partisans  were  still  in  power? 
Or  was  he  going  to  stop  at  the  blockhouse  day  after  day 
and  make  fresh  arrangements  regarding  his  prisoners? 

Zermah's  anxiety  was  not  of  long  duration.  She  had 
slipped  back  to  her  room  as  soon  as  the  Spaniard  rose  to 
enter  the  central  chamber.  Hidden  by  the  door,  she  heard 
the  few  words  exchanged  between  the  Indian  and  his 
master. 

"  Watch  them  with  more  care  than  ever,"  he  said. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Squambo.  But  if  we  are  closely 
pressed  by  James  Burbank — " 

^' James  Biirbank,  I  tell  you,  will  not  trouble  you  after 
a  few  days.  Besides,  you  know  where  to  take  the  half- 
breed  and  child — vhere  I  shall  meet  you  again." 

'^Yes,  master/'  said  Squambo;  ^^for  we  must  provide 
against  Gilbert  Burbank,  or  Mars,  Zermah's  husband — " 
Before  forty-eight  hours  they  will  be  in  my  power, 
and  when  I  get  them — " 

Zermah  did  not  hear  the  end  of  the  sentence  which 
threatened  her  husband  and  Gilbert  so  seriously. 

.  Texar  and  Squambo  then  left  the  redoubt,  and  the  door 
shut  behind  them. 

A  few  minutes  later  the  skiff  paddled  by  the  Indian 
left  the  island,  traversed  the  sombre  sinuosities  of  the 
lagoon,  and  put  the  Spaniard  on  board  a  boat  that  was 
waiting  for  him  off  the  creek.  Squambo  and  his  master 
then  separated,  Texar  going  down  with  the  tide  to  Jack- 
sonville. 

He  arrived  there  at  dawn,  in  time  to  put  his  plans  into 
execution.  And  soon  afterwards  Mars  disappeared  in  the 
waters  of  the  St.  John's,  and  Gilbert  Burbank  was  cou«^ 
demned  to  death. 


THE  DAY  BEFORE. 


159 


CHAPTER  III. 

V 

THE   DAY  BEFORE. 

It  was  in  the  morning  of  the  11th  of  March  that  Gilbert 
Burbank  had  been  tried  by  the  Jacksonville  Çommittee; 
and  the  same  eyening  his  tiither  had  been  arrested.  The 
next  day  but  one  the  young  officer  was  to  be  shot,  and 
doubtless  James  Burbank,  charged  as  being  his  accomplice, 
and  sentenced  to  the  same  penalty,  would  die  with  him. 

As  we  know,  Texar  held  the  Committee  in  his  hand. 
His  word  alone  was  law.  The  execution  of  the  father  and 
the  son  would  be  the  j)relude  to  sanguinary  excesses  against 
the  Northerners  in  Florida,  and  all  who  shared  in  their 
ideas  on  the  slavery  question.  What  an  amount  of  per- 
sonal vengeance  would  be  gratified  under  the  cloak  of 
civil  war!  Nothing  but  the  presence  of  the  Federal  troops 
could  put  a  stop  to  this.  But  would  they  come,  and, 
above  all,  would  they  come  before  the  first  victims  had 
been  sacrificed  to  the  Spaniard's  hatred? 

Unfortunately  it  seemed  to  be  doubtful. 

One  can  fancy  the  anguish  at  Castle  House  at  this  pro- 
longed delay. 

It  seemed  as  though  the  plan  of  ascending  the  St.  John's 
had  been  temporarily  abandoned  by  Stevens.  The- gun- 
boats made  no  movement  to  leave  their  anchorage.  Did 
they  not  dare  to  clear  the  bar  now  that  Mars  was  not  with 
them  to  pilot  them  along  the  channel?  Had  they  given 
up  the  idea  of  taking  Jacksonville,  and  by  the  capture 
assuring  safety  to  the  plantations  on  the  St.  John's? 
What  new  events  of  the  war  had  modified  the  projects  of 
Commodore  Dupont? 

Such  were  the  questions  that  Mr.  Stannard  and  Over- 
seer Perry  asked  themselves  during  this  interminable  day 
of  the  12th  of  March. 

From  the  news  then  current  it  seemed  that  the  Federal 
efforts  in  this  part  of  Florida,  between  the  river  and  the 


160 


texar's  revenge. 


sea,  was  confined  to  the  coast.  Commodore  Dupont,  in 
the  Wabash,  with  the  heaviest  gunboats  of  the  squadron, 
had  just  appeared  in  the  Bay  of  St.  Augustine.  It  was 
even  reported  that  the  mihtia  were  preparing  to  abandon 
the  town  without  attempting  to  defend  Fort  Marion  any- 
more than  Fort  Church  had  been  defended  at  the  surrender 
of  Fernandina. 

Such,  at  least,  was  the  news  brought  by  the  overseer 
during  the  morning  to  Castle  House;  and  he  at  once 
reported  it  to  Mr.  Stannard  and  Edward  Carrol,  who,  his 
wound  not  having  healed,  was  obliged  to  recline  on  one 
of  the  sofas  in  the  hall. 

"  The  Federals  at  St.  Augustine!"  said  the  latter;  "  and 
why  do  they  not  come  to  Jacksonville?" 

"  Perhaps  they  wish  only  to  blockade  the  river  without 
taking  possession,"  answered  Perry. 

''James  and  Gilbert  are  lost  if  Jacksonville  remains  in 
Texar's  hands,"  said  Mr.  Stannard. 

"Could  I  not  go,"  said  Perry,  ^'and  tell  Commodore 
Dupont  that  Mr.  Burbank  and  his  son  are  in  such  danger?" 

''It  would  take  a  day  to  reach  St.  Augustine,"  said 
Carrol,  "  even  supposing  that  you  were  not  stopped  by 
the  retreating  militia.  And  before  Dupont  could  order 
Stevens  to  occupy  Jacksonville,  too  much  time  would 
have  gone!  Besides,  there  is  this  bar — this  river  bar, 
which  the  gunboats  cannot  pass.  How  can  they  save  our 
poor  Gilbert,  who  is  to  die  to-morrow?  No!  it  is  not  to 
St.  Augustine  you  should  go,  but  to  Jacksonville!  It  is 
not  to  Commodore  Dupont  you  should  appeal,  but  to — 
Texar!" 

"  Mr.  Carrol  is  right,  father,  and  I  will  go!"  said  Alice, 
who  had  heard  the  few  last  words. 

The  brave  girl  was  ready  to  risk  everything  for  Gilbert's 
safety. 

The  evening  before,  when  he  left  Camdless  Bay,  James 
Burbank  had  particularly  enjoined  that  his  wife  should 
not  be  told  of  his  departure  to  Jacksonville.  It  was  better 
to  hide  from  her  that  the  Committee  had  ordered  his 
arrest.  Mrs.  Burbank  was  thus  unaware  of  his  having 
gone,  as  she  was  unaware  of  the  fate  of  her  son,  whom  she 
believed  to  be  on  board  the  flotilla.  How  could  the  un- 
happy woman  bear  up  under  the  double  blow  that  had 


THE  BAY  BEFOEE. 


161 


fallen  on  her?  Her  husband  in  the  power  of  Texar,  her 
son  on  the  eve  of  being  executed!  She  would  never  survive 
it.  When  she  had  asked  to  see  James  Burbank,  Alice 
had  replied  that  he  had  left  Castle  House  in  resumption 
of  his  search  after  Dy  and  Zermah,  and  that  he  would  be 
away  forty-eight  hours.  So  that  all  Mrs.  Burbaiik's 
thoughts  were  concentrated  on  her  stolen  child. 

Alice  knew  all  the  dangers  that  threatened  James  and 
Gilbert  Burbank.  She  knew  that  the  young  officer  was 
to  be  shot  in  the  morning,  and  that  the  same  fate  was  in 
stoie  for  his  father.  But  though  she  knew  all  this,  she 
resolved  to  see  Texar,  and  asked  Mr.  Carrol  to  take  her 
across  the  river. 

*'You — Alice— at  Jacksonville!"  exclaimed  Mr.  Stan - 
nard. 

Father,  it  is  necessary!" 
Mr.  Stannard's  very  natural  hesitation  suddenly  ceased 
before  the  necessity  of  acting  without  delay.  If  Gilbert 
could  be  saved,  it  was  only  by  the  way  Alice  wished  to 
try.  Perhaps  by  casting  herself  at  Texar's  knees  she  could 
sha'ke  his  resolution!  Perhaps  she  might  obtain  a  respite! 
Perhaps  she  might  find  support  among  the  better  citizens 
who  might  be  induced  to  rise  against  the  intolerable 
tyranny  of  the  Committee!  In  short,  she  must  go  to 
Jacksonville  whatever  danger  she  might  run. 

Perry,"  she  said,  will  you  take  me  to  Mr.  Harvey's 
house?" 

"Immediately,"  said  the  overseer. 

"  No,  Alice;  I  will  go  with  you,"  said  Mr.  Stannard. 
"  Yes,  I  will!  Let  us  start—" 

"  You,  Stannard?"  asked  Carrol.  "  You  are  exposing 
your  life.    They  know  your  opinions." 

What  does  it  matter  ?"  said  Mr.  Stannard.  I  will 
not  let  my  daughter  go  alone  amongst  those  vagabonds. 
Perry  can  stay  at  Castle  House,  as  you  cannot  walk  yet, 
for  we  must  prepare  in  case  we  are  detained — " 

"If  Mrs.  Burbank  asks  for  you,"  said  Carrol,  "if  she 
asks  for  Alice,  what  am  I  to  say  ?" 

Say  that  we  have  gone  with  James  in  his  search  on 
the  other  side  of  the  river.  Tell  her,  if  necessary,  that  we 
have  had  to  go  to  Jacksonville — in  fact  anything  you  like 
to  keep  her  quiet,  but  nothing  to  lead  her  to  suspect  the 


162 


TEXAR^S  EEVEIfôE. 


dangers  that  surround  her  husband  and  son.  Perry,  get  à 
boat  ready/^ 

The  overseer  retired  at  once,  leaving  Mr.  Stannard  to 
prepare  for  his  journey. 

It  would  be  better  for  Alice  not  to  leave  Castle  Hou  e 
without  telling  Mrs.  Burbank  that  she  and  her  father  had 
been  obliged  to  go  to  Jacksonville.  If  need  be  she 
could  even  say  that  Texar^s  party  had  been  superseded, 
that  the  Federals  were  masters  of  the  river,  that  to -morrow^ 
Gilbert  would  be  at  Camdless  Bay.  But  would  the  girl 
have  sufficient  self-command,  would  her  voice  not  betray 
her  when  she  asserted  as  facts  what  now  seemed  impossi- 
ble ? 

When  she  arrived  in  the  invalid's  room,  Mrs.  Burbank 
was  asleep,  or  rather  deep  in  sorrowful  slumber,  in  pro- 
found torpor,  from  which  Alice  had  not  the  courage  to 
wake  her.  Perhaps  it  was  better  that  the  girl  had  no  need 
to  speak  and  soothe  her. 

One  of  the  women  of  the  house  watched  near  the  bed. 
Alice  told  her  not  to  leave  for  a  moment,  and  to  ask  Mr.* 
Carrol  to  answer  Mrs.  BurbanFs  questions.  Then  she 
bent  over  the  unhappy  mother,  almost  till  their  lips  met, 
and  then  she  went  out  and  joined  her  father. 

As  soon  as  she  saw  him,     Let  us  go/'  she  said. 

They  clasped  CarroFs  hand  and  went  out  from  the  hall 
In  the  middle  of  the  bamboo-path  to  the  landing-path  thev 
met  the  overseer. 

The  boat  is  ready,''  said  he. 

"Good  "  said  Mr.  Stannard.  "Keep  careful  guard 
over  the  house,  my  friend." 

"  Never  fear,  Mr.  Stannard,  our  blacks  are  coming  back 
to  the  plantation,  and  that  means  much.  What  would 
they  do  with  a  freedom  for  which  nature  has  not  created 
them  Bring  us  back  Mr.  Burbank,  and  they  will  all  be 
found  at  their  post." 

Mr.  Stannard  and  his  daughter  took  their  places  in  the 
boat  with  four  of  the  Camdless  Bay  men.  The  sail  was 
leïtthe  sh^re"^^^^  ^  easterly  breeze  they  speedily 

Mr.  Stannard  thought  it  best  not  to  land  at  the  wharf 
at  Jacksonville,  where  he  would  inevitably  be  recognized, 
but  to  run  into  a  little  creek  a  short  distance  above. 


I6â 


î^rom  there  it  would  be  easy  to  reach  Mr.  Harvey's  house, 
which  was  on  this  side  and  well  out  in  the  suburbs. 
Once  there  they  could  consult  over  matters  and  act  ac- 
cordingly. 

The  river  at  this  time  was  deserted.  Nothing  above 
stream;  nothing  below.  There  had  been  no  fight  between 
the  Floridan  vessels  and  the  gunboats  under  Commandant 
Stevens,  whose  anchorage  could  not  even  be  seen,  owing 
to  a  bend  in  the  St.  John's  closing  the  horizon  below 
Jacksonville. 

After  a  quick  passage,  Mr.  Stannard  and  his  daughter 
reached  the  left  bank.  Without  being  noticed  they  were 
able  to  land  in  the  creek,  which  was  not  watched,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  they  found  themselves  in  the  house  of  James 
BurbanJi^'s  correspondent. 

Mr.  Harvey  was  much  surprised  and  much  alarmed  to 
see  them.  Their  presence  could  not  be  without  danger 
among  a  mob  more  and  more  excited  and  quite  devoted 
to  Texar.  It  was  known  that  Stannard  shared  in  the 
anti- slavery  ideas  adopted  at  Camdlese  Bay,  The  pillage 
of  his  house  at  Jacksonville  was  a  warning  that  could  not 
be  disregarded. 

Assuredly  tie  was  running  a  great  risk.  The  least  that 
could  happen  to  him,  if  he  was  discovered,  w^s  to  be  im- 
prisoned as  an  accomplice  of  James  Burbank's. 

"We  must  save  Gilbert  !"  was  all  that  Miss  Alice  could 
answer  to  Mr.  Harvey's  observations. 

Yes,''  he  said.  "  We  must  try  !  But  Mr.  Stannard 
must  not  go  out  of  this  house  !  He  must  stay  here  while 
we  act." 

"  Will  they  let  me  into  the  prison  .P"  asked  Alice. 

do  not  think  so,  Miss  Stannard." 
"  Shall  I  get  to  see  Texar  ?" 
''WewiUtry." 

"  Will  you  not  let  me  go  with  you  ?"  asked  Mr.  Stan^ 
nàrd. 

"No  !  that  would  do  harm  with  Texar  and  his  Com- 
mittee." 

"  Come,  then,  Mr.  Harvey,"  said  Alice. 

Before  they  left,  however,  Mr.  Stannard  asked  if  there 
had  been  any  war  news  which  had  not  yet  reached  Camd- 
less  Bay. 


164 


TEXAB*S  EEVÏ5NGE. 


None/  said  Mr.  Harvey;     at  least  none  that  concérns 
Jacksonville.    The  Federal  flotilla  has  appeared  in  the 
J3ay  of  bt.  Augustine,  and  the  town  has  been  surrendered 
At  the  St.  John's  nothing  has  been  done:  the  gunboats 
are  still  at  anchor  below  the  bar.'' 

"^;The  water  is  too  low  for  them  to  get  over." 

''Yes,  Mr.  Stannard;  but  to-day  we  are  to  have  one  of 
the  highest  tides  of  the  equinox.  It  will  be  high  water 
lor  three  hours,  and  perhaps  the  gunboats  will  clear  it—" 

"  Clear  it  without  a  pilot,  now  that  Mars  is  no  longer 
tnere  to  guide  them  through  the  channels  !"  said  Alice  in 
a  tone  which  showed  that  she  thought  little  of  this  hope. 

^ 0  1  It  IS  impossible  !  Mr.  Harvey,  I  must  see  Texar, 
and  If  tie  repulses  me,  we  must  sacrifice  everything  to  help 
Gilbert  escape — "  ^  & 

''.And  we  will  do  so.  Miss  Stannard." 
Stlmard^^^      not  changed  in  Jacksonville     asked  Mr. 

"  ISTo,"  rei)lied  Mr.  Harvey.  '^The  roughs  are  the 
masters  and  Texar  leads  them.  But  owing  to  the  exac- 
tions and  menaces  of  the  Committee  the  respectable  people 
are  growling  with  indignation,  and  it  only  wants  a  move- 
ment  of  the  Federals  on  the  river  to  bring  about  an  im- 
mediate change.  The  mob  is  a  cowardly  mob;  and  if  they 
have  cause  to  fear,  Texar  and  his  partisans  will  be  upset, 
the  Commandant  Stevens  will  be  able  to  clear 

wa'^!i,'^'"tT*.i^^''  that,"  said  Alice  resolutely;  -and 
before  then  I  shall  have  seen  Texar  "  J'  »  ^ 

It  was  then  agreed  that  Mr.  Stannard  should  remain  in 

w  t^T'  ^i'  Presence  in  Jacksonville  should 

plan^  fh?'"''-    ^%Hf7ej  was  to  help  Alice  in  all  her 

Ff  S!ïnTi-  ?  ^.'f  '  ^'^^^^^  ^'^^  Gilbert  his  life, 
the  cost  of  a  fortune  to  procure  the  escape  of  the  prwîoners. 
lpft  fb?l!   ""^/^T^n^^^^^"^  ^^^^  ^li^e       Mr.  Harvey 

mi  tee  ut^^^^^  ^"^-'i^      J^^^^^^'  ^^^^^^  the  Com- 

mittee  under  Texar's  presidency  was  in  permanent  session. 

miîif i^  ^Z/^'       Z  ^  ^r^^t  excitement.  The 

Sontj^^^r''^''''i  by  the  detachments  arrived  from  the 
bouth,  were  constantly  on  the  move.    Those  set  free  bv 


DAY  BEPOÎtl.  1^1 5 

the  surrender  of  St.  Augustine  were  expected  during  the 
day,  either  by  the  St.  John's  or  by  the  road  through  the 
forests  on  its  right  bank.  The  people  thronged  the  streets 
A  thousand  rumours  were  afloat,  contradictory  as  usual* 
and  provoking  a  tumult  akin  to  disorder.  It  was  easy  to 
8ee  that  if  the  Federals  did  arrive  there  would  be  no  unity 
of  action  m  the  defence;  there  would  be  no  serious  re- 
sistance. Fernandina  had  surrendered  nine  days  before  to 
the  troops  landed  under  General  Wright;  St.  Augustine 
had  received  Dupont^s  flotilla  without  even  attempting  to 
bar  his  passage;  and  so  would  it  be  at  Jacksonville.  The 
i^lorida  Mihtia  would  give  place  to  the  Northern  troops, 
and  would  retire  into  the  interior  of  the  country  There 
was  only  one  thing  to  save  Jacksonville  from  capture,  to 
prolong  the  powers  of  the  Committee  and  allow  them  to 
accomplish  their  sanguinary  plans;  that  was,  that  for  want 
of  water  or  want  of  a  pilot  the  gunboats  kept  outside  the 
bar  And  m  a  few  hours  it  would  be  seen  if  this  were  to 
be  the  case. 

Through  a  crowd  which  grew  closer  at  every  step,  Alice 
and  Mr.  Harvey  made  their  way  to  the  principal  square. 
How  were  they  to  get  into  the  court  ?  They  could  not 
imagine  Once  there  how  could  they  get  to  see  Texar  ? 
They  did  not  know  Who  could  tell  if  the  Spaniard,  when 
he  heard  that  Ahce  Stannard  demanded  to  see  him 
would  not  arrest  her  and  imprison  her  until  after  the 
lieutenant  s  execution  ?  But  she  would  not  think  of 
such  things.  To  see  Texar,  to  compel  him  to  have  mercy 
on  (xilbert,  no  personal  danger  would  be  too  great  for  her 
to  run.  ^ 

When  she  and  Mr.  Harvey  reached  the  square,  they 
found  there  a  still  more  tumultuous  crowd.  Shouts  rent 
the  air  and  these  words  of  menace  were  yelled  from  one 
group  to  another:  "Death!  Death 

Mr.  Harvey  ascertained  that  the  Committee  had  been 
sitting  as  a  court  of  justice  for  an  hour.  A  dreadful  pre- 
sentiment seized  on  him,  and  the  presentiment  was  only 
too  well  justified.  The  Committee  were  trying  James 
Burbank  for  being  the  accomplice  of  his  son  Gilbert,  and 
holding  communication  with  the  Federal  army  The 
same  crime,  the  same  sentence,  there  could  be  no  doubt 
and  the  crowning  of  Texar's  work  against  the  Burbank 


166 


Mr.  Hiirvey  would  have  gone  no  further.  He  tried  t6 
lead  Alice  away.  He  would  not  subject  her  to  the  sight 
of  the  violence  which  the  people  threatened  when  the 
condemned  men  came  out  of  the  court  after  sentence  was 
pronounced.  This  was  hardly  the  time  to  seek  an  inter- 
vievy  with  the  Spaniard. 

^'  Come  away,  Miss  Stannard,"  said  Mr.  Harvey. 
"Come  away!  We  will  come  back  when  the  Commit- 
tee—" 

No  !"  answered  Alice.  "  I  will  throw  myself  between 
the  accused  and  their  judges — " 

The  girl's  resolution  was  such  that  Mr.  Harvey  de- 
spaired of  overcoming  it.  Alice  led  the  way.  He  was 
bound  to  follow  her.  The  crowd  was  quiet — some  of 
them  recognized  her,  perhaps,  and  yet  it  opened  to  let 
her  pass.  The  cries  of  "Death!"  sounded  horribly  in 
her  ears.  Nothing  could  stop  her.  She  reached  the 
doors  of  the  court.  Here  the  crowd  was  rougher  than 
ever, — not  the  roughness  that  follows  the  storm,  but 
that  which  precedes  it.  The  most  terrible  excesses  were 
to  be  feared. 

Suddenly  a  tumultuous  wave  burst  from  the  court. 
The  shouts  redoubled.    Sentence  had  been  given. 

James  Burbank,  like  Gilbeijt,  had  been  condemned  for 
the  same  pretended  crime  to  the  same  penalty.  Father 
and  son  would  fall  before  the  same  firing  platoon. 

"  Death!    Death!"  yelled  the  crowd  of  roughs. 

James  Burbank  appeared  on  the  steps.  He  was  calm, 
and  collected.  A  look  of  scorn  was  all  he  had  for  the 
shouting  crowd. 

A  detachment  of  militia  surrounded  him,  with  orders 
to  take  him  back  to  prison. 

He  was  not  alone. 

Gilbert  was  by  his  side. 

Taken  from  the  cell  where  he  awaited  the  hour  of  exe- 
cution, the  young  officer  had  been  brought  into  the  Com- 
mittee's presence  to  be  confronted  with  James  Burbank, 
who  could  only  confirm  what  his  son  had  said.  Gilbert 
had  come  to  Castle  House  to  see  his  dying  nlother  for  the 
last  time.  On  the  evidence  the  charge  would  have  col- 
lapsed, had  not  the  trial  been  settled  beforehand.  The 
same  doom  awaited  both  innocent  men — a  doom  imposed 


THîî  î)ÀY  i&mon%  lé^ 

judge?^^"^^  vengenace,  and  pronounced  by  iniquitous 

rI^^?'''l^'^  """^       prisoners.    It  was  with  great 

ditbculty  that  the  mihtia  could  clear  the  wav. 

There  was  a  sudden  movement  in  the  crowd.  Alice 
rushed  towards  the  father  and  son. 

Involuntarily  the  mob  recoiled,  surprised  by  this  unex- 
pecceu.  attempt. 

Alice!"  exclaimed  Gilbert. 

"  Gilbert!  Gilbert!"  murmured  Alice  as  she  fell  into 
nis  arms. 

I ^  Alice!  why  are  you  here?"  asked  James  Burbank. 
To  ask- mercy  for  you.    To  beg  it  from  your  judges. 
Mercy!  mercy  for  them!"  j      j    6  • 

The  girFs  cries  were  heart-breaking.  She  clung  to  the 
stopped  bloomed  men,  who  had  for  a  moment 

Could  they  hope  for  pity  from  the  wild  crowd  that  sur- 
rounded them  ?  No  !  But  her  intervention  for  a  moment 
prevented  them  from  proceeding  to  violence,  in  defiance 
01  the  militia  guard. 

fT.^?f' "'u"^?'''?!?  "^^^"^^^^^  "^^^  happening,  appeared  at 
the  threshold  of  the  Courts  of  Justice.  A  gesture  from 
him  silenced  the  crowd.  The  order  he  gavlwas  to  take 
the  Burbanks  back  to  prison. 

The  detachment  resumed  its  march 

Texa^îsTnees"''''''^^"''  ^""^^^^  ^^'""^^  throwing  herself  at 

The  Spaniard's  reply  was  a  gesture  of  refusal. 

The  girl  stood  up 
Scoundrel!"  she  said. 

She  would  have  rejoined  the  prisoners,  followed  them 
to  the  prison,  and  spent  with  them  the  last  hours  left 
t liera  to  live. 

•  ^^u^  were  already  out  of  the  square,  the  crowd  escort- 
ing them  with  yells  and  insults. 

.hi/^^AT'^  ^f"  ^^'""^  ^^"^^  Her  strength 

abandoned  her.  She  sfaggered  and  fell.  She  had  neither 
fee  mg  nor  consciousness  when  Mrs.  Harvey  received  her 
m  her  arms. 

4.       "^Jr^  not  come  to  herself  till  she  was  with  her  father 
m  Mr.  Harvey  s  house. 


m 


TEXAR*S  EEVENGB. 


"To  the  prison!    To  the  prison!"  she  murmured. 

Both  of  theiii  must  escape." 

Yes,"  said  Mr.  Stannard.  "  That  is  all  we  can  try! 
Wait  till  night  comes!" 

Nothing  could  be  done  during  the  day.  When  dark- 
ness enabled  them  to  act  with  more  safety,  without  fear 
of  being  surprised,  Mr.  Stannard  and  Mr.  Harvey  would 
endeavour  to  help  the  prisoners  escape  with  the  con- 
nivance of  their  guard.  They  would  take  money  with 
them,  so  much — so  they  hoped — that  the  man  would  be 
unable  to  resist  them;  particularly  as  a  single  shot  from 
Stevens's  gunboats  migiit  end  the  Spaniard's  power. 

But  night  came,  and  they  had  to  give  up  all  thought 
of  their  scheme.  The  prison  was  guarded  by  a  detach- 
ment of  militia,  and  all  idea  of  flight  was  in  vain. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  GALE  FEOM  THE  KORTH-EAST. 

There  was  now  only  one  chance  for  the  doomed  men — 
that  before  a  dozen  hottrs  had  elapsed  the  Federals  were 
masters  of  the  town.  At  sunrise  James  and  Gilbert  Bur- 
bank  would  be  shot.  Their  prison  was  watched,  so  was 
Mr.  Harvey's  house;  how  could  they  escape? 

The  capture  of  Jacksonville  could  not  be  made  by  the 
troops  landed  at  Fernaadina,  who  could  not  abandon 
that  important  position  in  the  north  of  Florida.  The 
task  must  be  that  of  the  gunboats:  to  accomplish  it  the 
bar  must  be  crossed.  Then  when  the  line  of  boats  was 
driven  back,  the  flotilla  could  anchor  opposite  the  town. 
Oiico  they  had  the  town  under  their  guns,  the  miliiia 
would  beat  a  retreat  to  the  marshes.  Texar  and  his 
partisans  would  certainly  follow  them,  to  avoid  the  well- 
deserved  reprisals;  The  respectable  citizens  would  then 
resume  the  place  from  which  they  had  been  hunted  with 
such  indignity,  and  negotiate  with  the  Federal  represent- 
atives for  th@  surrender. 


A  GALE  FEOM  THE  NOETH-EAST.  169 

Was  it  possible  to  effect  this  passage  of  the  bar,  and 
within  the  time?  Was  there  any  way  of  overcoming  the 
obstacle  which  the  want  of  water  put  in  the  way  of  the 
gunboats?   It  was  very  doubtful,  as  we  shall  see. 

After  sentence  was  pronounced  Texar  and  the  com- 
mander of  the  militia  went  down  to  the  wharf  to  inspect 
the  lower  course  of  the  river.  Their  attention  was  fixed 
on  the  bar. 

''  Nothing  fresh  has  been  reported?"  asked  Texar,  as 

he  stopped  at  the  end  of  the  stockade. 

"Nothing  "  said  the  officer.  -  A  reconnaissance  I 
.^''^}J^  the  north  tells  me  that  the  Federals  have 

not  left  Fernandina  for  Jacksonville.    Probably  they  are 

kept  m  observation  on  the  Georgian  frontier  until  their 

flotilla  has  forced  the  channel." 

Have  any  troops  come  from  the  south,  from  St. 

Augustine,  and  crossed  the  St.  John's  at  Picolata?" 

I  think  not.    Dupont  has  only  troops  enough  to 

occupy  the  town  and  his  object  is  to  blockade  the  whole 

coast  from  the  St.  John's  to  the  furthest  inlets  of  Florida. 

We  have  nothing  to  fear  from  that  side,  Texar!" 

+1,  "  K      u  ^^'^^       flotilla  if  it  clears 

the  bar,  below  which  it  has  been  at  anchor  for  three 


That  is  so.  And  the  question  will  be  decided  in  a 
few  hours.  Perhaps,  after  all,  the  enemy's  object  is  to 
close  the  river  so  as  to  cut  off  the  communication  between 
fet  Augustine  and  Fernandina!  It  is  most  to  his  interest 
not  to  occupy  Florida  at  present,  but  to  stop  the  contra- 
band of  war  coming  in  from  the  south.  The  expedition 
has  no  other  object— at  least  I  think  not."  If  it  had,  the 
troops  at  Amelia  Island  wonld  have  been  on  the  march  to 
Jacksonville." 

T^nf  J''''  ^1^^  "^^*'"  ^^'^  " It  doesn't  matter! 

i5ut  i  wish  this  question  of  the  bar  was  over  " 

•      It  will  be  settled  this  very  day." 

If  the  gunboats  do  come,  what  will  you  do^^" 

Act  according  to  my  orders,  and  take  the  militia  into 

the  interior,  so  as  to  avoid  all  contact  with  the  Federals. 

If  they  can  occupy  the  towns,  let  them.    They  cannot 

keep  them  long  for  they  will  be  cut  off  from  their  com- 

munications  with  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas,  and  we  shall 

soon  retake  them. 


m 


texar's  eevbngb. 


'*  But,"  said  Texar,  if  they  are  masters  of  Jackson- 
ville only  for  a  day,  we  mast  expect  reprisals.  All  these 
pretended  honest  men,  these  rich  planters,  and  abolition- 
ists will  return  to  power,  and  then —  But  it  sliall  not 
be!  ,  N"o!  and  rather  than  abandon  the  town — " 

The  Spaniard  did  not  finish  his  thought,  but  it  was 
easy  to  see  his  meaning.  He  would  not  surrender  the 
town  to  the  Federals,  who  would  place  it  in  the  hands  of 
the  magistrates  he  had  supplanted.  He  would  give  it  to 
the  flames;  and  perhaps  his  measures  were  taken  with  a 
view  to  this  work  of  destruction.  Then  he  and  his  fol- 
lowers would  retire  after  the  militia,  and  in  the  marshes 
of  the  south  find  an  inaccessible  retreat,  where  they  could 
await  events. 

But  there  was  nothing  of  this  to  be  feared  if  the  gun- 
boats could  not  clear  the  bar,  and  the  time  had  come  to 
settle  the  question. 

The  people  came  crowding  on  to  the  wharves.  A 
moment  was  enough  to  show  why  they  had  come.  Deaf- 
ening shouts  arose. 

"The  gunboats  are  coming!" 
No!  they  have  not  moved." 
The  sea  is  open!" 

"They  are  going  to  try  it  at  full  speed!" 

"Look!  look!" 
So  they  are!"  said  the  commander  of  the  militia. 

There  is  something!    Look,  Texar!" 

The  Spaniard  did  not  reply.  He  never  took  his  eyes 
from  where  the  horizon  was  closed  by  the  line  of  boats 
drawn  across  the  stream.  Half  a  mile  below  were  the 
spars  and  funnels  of  the  gun- vessels.  A  thick  smoke  was 
rising,  and  driven  by  the  wind  came  floating  up  to  Jackson- 
ville. 

Evidently  Stevens,  taking  advantage  of  the  full  tide, 
was  trying  to  cross  the  bar  at  all  costs.  Would  he  do  so? 
Would  he  find  enough  water,  even  if  he  scraped  his  keels 
as  he  came?  No  wonder  there  was  violent  excitement 
among  the  crowds  on  the  bank  of  the  St.  John's. 

And  the  excitement  increased  as  some  thought  they 
saw  something,  and  others  thought  they  did  not. 

"They  have  gained  half  a  cable!" 

"No!  they  have  not  ir^^^^nd  further  than  if  their  anchor 
was  still  down." 


A  GALE  FROM  THE  NORTH-EAST.  171 

There  is  one  moving." 

Yes;  but  she  is  swinging  on  a  pivot  because  she  has 
not  got  water  enough/' 
"What  a  smoke!" 
They  may  burn  all  the  coal  in  the  States,  but  they 
won't  get  over." 

"And  now  the  tide  is  slackening!" 
"Hurrah  for  the  South!" 
"Hurrah!" 

The  flotilla's  attempt  lasted  about  ten  minutes— ten 
minutes  which  appeared  long  to  Texar,  to  his  partisans, 
and  to  all  there  whose  liberty  or  life  would  be  endangered 
by  the  capture  of  Jacksonville.  What  had  really  hap- 
pened they  did  not  know;  the  distance  was  too  great  for 
them  to  be  sure.  Had  the  channel  been  forced  or  not?* 
By  discharging  all  useless  weight  to  lighten  his  draught' 
had  Stevens  been  able  to  clear  the  narrow  shoal  that  kept 
him  out  of  the  deep  water,  by  which  the  passage  up  to 
the  town  would  be  easy?  So  long  as  the  tide  was  on  the 
turn  there  was  a  chance  that  he  might. 

But,  as  the  people  said,  the  tide  had  begun  to  run  out 
Once  the  ebb  began,  the  level  of  the  St.  John's  would 
soon  sink. 

Suddenly  arms  were  stretched  towards  the  bar,  and 
there  was  a  shout  that  was  heard  over  all, — 
"A  boat!  a  boat!" 

A  little  boat  was  sighted  coming  along  the  left  bank 
where  the  flow  of  the  tide  was  still  perceptible,  while  the 
ebb  appeared  in  mid-channel.  The  boat  rowed  up  rapidly. 
In  the  stern  sat  an  officer  in  the  uniform  of  the  Florida 
Militia.  He  soon  reached  the  stockade,  and,  running  up 
the  ladder,  landed  on  the  wharf.  Perceiving  Texar  he 
came  towards  him,  followed  by  a  crowd  almost  choking 
with  anxiety  to  see  and  hear. 

"  What  is  it?"  asked  the  Spaniard. 

"Nothing,  and  there  will  be  nothing!"  said  the  officer. 

"  Who  sent  you?" 

"  The  commander  of  the  boats,  who  will  soon  be  back 
here. 

"And  why?" 

"Because  the  gunboats  have  failed  in  crossing  the  bar 
although  they  were  lightened  for  draught  and  were  driven 
at  lull  speed.    There  is  now  nothing  to  fear  " 


172 


texab's  revekge. 


For  this  tide?"  asked  Texar. 
Nor  for  any  other — at  least  for  some  months. 
"Hurrah!  Hurrah!" 

The  cheers  spread  over  the  town.  And  as  the  roughs 
more  than  ever  cheered  the  Spaniard,  in  whom  all  their 
detestable  instincts  were  incarnate,  the  respectable  people 
saw  with  despair  that  for  some  time  yet  they  would  be 
under  the  iniquitous  rule  of  the  Committee  and  its 
chief. 

The  officer's  report  was  true.  From  that  day  the  tide 
would  decrease  each  day.  The  tide  of  the  12th  of  March 
was  one  of  the  highest  of  the  year,  and  several  months 
would  elapse  before  it  again  reached  the  same  level.  The 
bar  being  impassable,  Jacksonville  would  escape  Stevens's 
guns.  Texar  would  remain  in  power;  the  scoundrel  would 
accomplish  his  work  of  vengeance.  Even  if  General 
Sherman  sent  Wright  to  occupy  the  town  with  the  troops 
landed  at  Fernandina,  the  march  would  take  several  days. 
As  far  as  the  Burbanks  were  concerned,  their  execution 
being  fixed  for  the  next  morning,  nothing  could  save 
them.  ,  .  , 

The  news  spread  to  the  suburbs.  We  can  imagine  its 
effect  on  the  riotous  portion  of  the  community.  Decent 
people  prepared  to  leave  a  town  in  which  they  could  not 
be  safe. 

The  cheering  and  shouting  reached  the  prisoners,  and 
told  them  that  all  hope  of  life  had  vanished,  and  they 
were  heard  in  Mr.  Harvey's  house.  We  need  not  dwell  on 
the  despair  with  which  they  filled  Mr.  Stannard  and  his 
daughter.  What  could  they  do  now  to  save  James  Bur- 
bank  and  his  son?  Corrupt  the  gaoler?  They  could  not 
now  leave  the  house  in  which  they  had  taken  refuge!  A 
troop  of  desperadoes  kept  them  in  sight,  whose  curses 
COP  Id  be  heard  at  the  door. 

Night  came  on.  The  weather,  which  had  been  threaten- 
ing for  some  hours,  changed  rapidly;  the  wind  had  gone 
round  to  the  north-east.  Great  masses  of  grey,  broken 
clouds  came  racing  past,  too  hurriedly  to  dissolve  in  rain, 
and  almost  low  enough  to  sweep  the  surface  of  the  sea. 
A  frigate's  masts  would  certainly  have  reached  into  the 
mass  of  vapour.  The  barometer  suddenly  fell,  and  there 
was  every  sign  of  a  storm  over  the  distant  Atlantic. 


A  GALE  FEOM  THE  NOETH-EAST. 


173 


From  its  position  the  storm  would  strike  full  into  the 
estuary  of  the  St.  John's.  It  would  raise  the  waters  and 
drive  them  back  like  the  bores  of  large  rivers,  and  the 
flood  would  rise  over  the  lauds  by  the  river-side. 

During  this  night  of  trouble  Jacksonville  was  swept 
with  terrible  violence.  A  part  of  the  stockade  succumbed 
to  the  fury  of  the  surf  against  the  stockades;  the  water 
came  over  the  wharf,  and  dashed  to  pieces  on  it  several 
dogger-boats,  whose  cables  broke  like  threads.  It  was 
impossible  to  remain  in  the  streets  or  squares  owing  to  the 
shower  of  fragments  that  rained  down  from  the  roofs. 
People  took  refuge  in  the  public-houses,  and  the  noise 
therein  contended,  not  without  advantage,  with  the  roar 
of  the  storm. 

It  was  not  only  over  the  land  that  the  gale  raged.  In 
the  St.  John's  the  agitation  of  the  waters  produced  quite 
a  furious  sea.  The  boats  moored  above  the  bar  were 
caught  in  the  storm  before  they  could  get  into  safety 
their  grapnels  broke,  aud  their  cables  parted.  The  night's 
tide,  mcreasrd  by  the  gale,  carried  them  up  the  river  re- 
sistlessly.  Some  were  stove  againstHhe  piles,  others  were 
swept  past  Jacksonville  and  lost  on  the  islands  and  points 
miles  up  the  St.  John's.  Many  of  the  sailors  lost  their 
lives  in  the  storm,  which  came  on  so  suddenly  as  to  ren- 
der useless  the  measures  usually  taken  under  such  cir- 
cumstances. 

Had  the  gunboats  weighed  anchor  and  steamed  off  to 
shelter  m  the  creeks  at  the  mouth?  Had  thev,  thanks  to 
this  precaution,  escaped  complete  destruction?  Had  they 
gone  out  of  the  river?  That  they  had  remained  at  their 
anchors  Jacksonville  could  not  believe,  for  the  bar  would 
now  be  impassable. 

Darkness  enveloped  the  valley  of  the  St.  John's,  while 
the  air  and  the  water  mingled  together  as  if  some  chemical 
action  was  trying  to  combine  them  into  one  element.  It 
was  one  of  those  cataclysms  which  are  so  frequent  at  the 
equinox,  but  in  violence  it  exceeded  all  that  this  part  of 
Florida  had  experienced. 

Owing  to  its  violence  the  storm  lasted  but  a  few  hours. 
Before  the  sun  rose  the  storm  had  passed  over  into  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico. 

About  four  o'clocl^,  as  thp  first  streaks  of  dawn  wer§ 


174 


texar's  revenge. 


tinting  the  horizon,  a  calm  succeeded  to  the  tumult  of  the 
night,  and  the  people  began  to  crowd  into  the  streets 
from  the  drinking-bais  where  they  had  taken  refuge. 
The  militia  reapi)eared  at  their  deserted  posts.  The 
damages  caused  by  the  tempest  began  to  be  taken  in  hand 
particularly  along  the  river  front,  where  they  were 
considerable,  the  tide  bringing  down  with  it  many  of  the 
drifted  boats  that  had  beeti  wrecked  and  carried  up  the 
river. 

But  these  wrecks  could  only  be  seen  for  a  few  yards  out 
from  the  bank,  as  a  dense  fog"  had  accumulated  over  the 
river,  and  was  rising  towards  the  higher  zones  that  had 
been  cooled  by  the  tempest.  At  five  o'clock  the  centre  of 
the  stream  was  still  invisible,  although  but  a  few  moments 
would  elapse  before  it  would  be  dissipated  in  the  rays  of 
the  sun. 

Suddenly,  just  after  five  o'clock^  loud  reports  broke 
through  the  mist.  There  could  be  no  mistake.  It  was 
not  the  long  roll  of  thunder,  but  the  formidable  detona- 
tions of  artillery!  Something  whistled  characteristically 
overhead;  a  shout  of  terror  rose  from  the  crowd,  who 
rushed  towards  the  wharf. 

The  fog  began  to  open;  it  was  pierced  by  bang  after 
bang.  Its  wreaths  mingled  with  the  smoke  from  the  guns 
and  fell  to  the  river. 

There  lay  Stevens's  gunboats  in  line  before  Jackson- 
ville, which  they  commanded  completely  within  short 
range  ! 

"  The  gunboats!    The  gunboats!'^ 

The  words,  repeated  from  mouth  to  mouth,  soon  spread 
to  the  outskirts.  In  a  few  minutes  the  respectable  popu- 
lation with  extreme  satisfaction,  the  disreputable  popula- 
tion with  extreme  alarm,  learnt  that  Stevens  was  master 
of  the  St.  John's. 

What  had  happened  ?  Had  the  Northerners  found  the 
storm  of  unexpected  assistance  ?  Yes.  The  gunboats 
had  not  sought  shelter  in  the  lower  creeks  of  the  estuary. 
Notwithstanding  the  violence  of  the  wind  and  sea,  they 
had  held  to  their  anchors.  While  the  enemy  cleared  oil 
with  his  small  craft.  Stevens  rode  out  the  hurricane  at  the 
risk  of  disaster,  so  as  to  attempt  the  passage,  which  cir- 
cumst-ances  had  made  practicable. 


A  GALE  FROM  THE  KORTH-EAST.  175 

The  Storm,  by  driving  back  the  waters  up  the  estuary, 
had  raised  the  level  of  the  stream  above  the  normal  height 
and  the  gunboats  being  driven  at  full  speed  at  the  bar! 
had  safely  got  over,  although  they  had  scraped  the  saud 
with  their  keels. 

^  About  four  o^ock  in  the  morning,  Stevens,  coming  up 
in  the  fog,  calculated  that  he  was  off  Jacksonville  There 
he  had  anchored.  And  when  all  was  ready  he  had  rent 
the  mists  by  the  discharge  of  his  heavy  guns,  and  hurled 
rÂ  projectiles  at  the  left  bank  of  the  St.  John^s 
Ihe  effect  was  instantaneous.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
militia  had  evacuated  the  town,  following  the  example  of 
the  Southern  troops  at  Fernandina  and  St.  Augustine 
Stevens,  seeing  the  wharves  deserted,  began  at  once  to 
Blacken  fire,  his  object  being  not  to  destroy  Jacksonville, 
but  to  occupy  it.  ' 

Almost  immediately  a  white  flag  was  displayed  on  the 
Courts  of  Justice. 

When  the  guns  were  first  heard  in  Mr.  Harvey's  house 
great  was  the  anxiety.  The  town  was  certainly  attacked! 
Ihe  attack  could  only  come  from  the  Federals.  Either 
they  had  ascended  the  St.  John^s  or  come  from  the  north 
of  h  lorida.  Was  this  the  unhoped-for  chance  of  safety— 
the  only  one  that  could  save  James  and  Gilbert  Burbank? 

Mr.^  Harvey  and  Alice  rushed  to  the  door  of  the  house* 
iexar  s  men  who  were  on  guard  had  taken  flight  and  fol- 
lowed the  mihtia. 

Alice  and  her  companion  rushed  to  the  riverside  The 
fog  was  just  vanishing  and  the  other  bank  of  the  river 
could  be  seen. 

The  gunboats  were  silent,  for  already  Jacksonville  had 
abandoned  its  resistance. 

A  number  of  boats  had  put  off  from  the  flotilla,  and 
were  landing  on  the  quay  a  detachment  armed  with  rifles 
revolvers,  and  axes.  ' 

Suddenly  a  shout  was  heard  among  the  sailors. 

The  man  who  had  shouted  rushed  towards  Alice 
^  ^^Mars!  Mars!"  she  exclaimed,  stupefied  to  find 'herself 
m  the  presence  of  Zermah's  husband,  who  she  thought 
had  been  drowned.  ^ 
^^-Mr.  Gilbert!  Mr,  Gilbert!''  asked  Mars,    ^'  Whm  if 


176 


texâe's  revenge. 


"Prisoner  with  Mr.  Burbank  !  Save  him,  Mars!  Save 
him!  and  save  his  father!" 

"To  the  prison!"  shouted  Mars,  turning  and  joining 
his  companions. 

And  then  all  set  off  at  a  run  to  prevent  a  last  crime 
beiiig  committed  by  Texar. 

Mr.  Harvey  and  Alice  followed  them. 

So  that,  after  jumping  into  the  water.  Mars  had  escaped 
the  eddies  on  the  bar?  Yes!  And  the  brave  half-breed 
had  prudently  refrained  from  letting  his  safety  be  known 
at  Oastle  House.  To  have  sought  there  for  shelter  would 
have  been  to  risk  his  safety,  and  to  accomplish  his  work 
he  must  be  free.  Having  swum  to  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  he  had  been  able,  by  creeping  through  the  reeds,  to 
get  down  opposite  the  flotilla.  There  his  signals  had  been 
noticed,  and  a  boat  had  been  sent  to  bring  him  on  board 
Stevens's  vessel.  Stevens  was  fully  informed  of  what  had 
occurred,  and  on  account  of  Gilbert's  imminent  danger 
efforts  were  made  to  get  through  the  channel.  But  they 
were  useless,  as  we  know,  and  the  operation  was  about  to 
be  abandoned  when,  during  the  night,  the  storm  raised 
the  river  level.  But  without  knowledge  of  the  difficult 
waterway  the  flotilla  might  have  grounded  on  the  shoals. 
Fortunately  Mars  was  there.  He  had  skilfully  piloted 
the  commandant's  gunboat,  and  the  others  followed,  not- 
withstanding the  storm.  And  before  the  fog  had  risen 
on  the  St.  J ohn's  they  were  anchored  with  the  town  under 
their  guns. 

It  was  time,  for  the  two  men  were  to  be  executed  at 
daylight.  But  already  all  cause  for  fear  had  been  re- 
moved. The  magistrates  had  resumed  the  authority 
usurped  by  Texar.  And  when  Mars  and  his  companions 
reached  the  prison,  James  and  Gilbert  Burbank  were  com- 
ing out,  free  at  last. 

In  a  moment  the  young  lieutenant  had  clasped  Alice  to 
his  breast,  while  Stannard  and  James  Burbank  fell  into 
each  other's  arms. 

"My  mother?"  asked  Gilbert. 

"She  lives!  she  lives!"  answered  Alice. 

"  Well,  let  us  go  to  Castle  House!"  said  Gilbert. 

"Not  before  justice  is  done!"  answered  James  Burbank. 

Mats  understood  his  master.  He  rushed  towards  the 
iTiniu  square,  in  the  hope  of  finding  Texar* 


Would  not  the  Spaniard  have  already  taken  flight,  so  as 
to  avoid  reprisals?  Would  he  not  have  withdrawn  him- 
self from  public  vengeance  with  all  those  concerned  with 
him  in  the  late  period  of  excess?  Would  he  not  have  fol- 
lowed the  militia,  who  were  in  full  retreat  ? 

It  would  have  been  thought  so. 

But,  without  waiting  for  the  intervention  of  the  Fed* 
erals,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  had  run  to  the  Courts 
of  Justice.  Texàr  was  arrested  at  the  moment  he  was 
about  to  escape.  He  was  put  under  a  guard  ;  and  very 
resigned  to  his  fate  did  he  appear.  But  when  Mars  came 
towards  him,  he  saw  that  his  life  was  in  danger. 

The  half-breed  threw  himself  on  him.  In  spite  of  the 
efforts  of  those  who  guarded  him,  he  seized  him  by  the 
throat,  and  would  have  strangled  him  there  and  then,  if 
James  Burbank  and  his  son  had  not  appeared. 

"No!  no!  Living  !"  shouted  James  Burbank.  ''He 
must  live!  he  must  speak!" 

"  Yes,  he  must  !"  said  Mars. 

A  few  minutes  later  Texar  was  locked  up  in  the  very 
cell  where  his  victims  had  awaited  the  hour  of  execution. 


CHAPTEE  y. 

A  PRISOI^-ER. 

At  last  the  Federals  were  masters  of  Jacksonville,  and 
consequently  of  the  St.  John's.  The  troops  brought  by 
Commandant  Stevens  immediately  occupied  the  chief 
points  of  the  city.  The  usurping  authorities  had  fled. 
Of  the  old  committee  only  Texar  had  been  captured. 

Whether  owing  to  weariness  at  the  exactions  of  the  last 
few  days,  or  to  indifference  on  the  slavery  question,  the 
people  did  not  give  at  all  a  bad  reception  to  the  officers  of 
the  flotilla,  who  represented  the  government  of  Washing- 
ton. 

Meanwhile,  Commodore  Dupont  at  St.  Augustine 
busied  himself  in  closing  the  Floridan  coast  against  con- 


m 


traband  of  war.  The  passes  of  Mosquito  inlet  were  all 
seized.  That  at  once  cut  off  the  trade  in  arms  and  muni- 
tions with  the  Bahamas.  It  was  evident  that  henceforth 
Florida  would  be  subject  to  the  Federal  Government. 

The  same  day  as  the  surrender  of  Jacksonville,  James 
and  Gilbert  Burbank  and  Mr.  Stannard  and  his  daughter 
crossed  the  St.  John's  to  Oamdless  Bay. 

Perry  and  the  assistant-overseers  were  waiting  for  them 
at  the  little  landing-place  with  a  few  of  the  blacks  who 
had  returned  to  the  plantation.  It  can  be  imagined  how 
they  were  received,  and  with  what  demonstrations  they 
were  welcomed. 

Soon  James  Burbank  and  his  companions  were  at  his 
wife's  bedside. 

It  was  when  she  thus  again  beheld  her  son  that  for  the 
first  time  she  learnt  what  had  passed.  The  young  officer 
clasped  her  in  his  arms.  Her  people  would  never  leave 
her  again.  Ahce  could  give  her  all  her  attention.  She 
would  soon  recover  her  strength.  There  was  nothing  now 
to  fear  from  Texar's  schemings.  The  Spaniard  was  in 
the  hands  of  the  Federals,  and  the  Federals  were  masters 
of  J  acksonville. 

But  if  she  had  to  tremble  no  more  for  her  husband  and 
son,  her  whole  thought  was  on  her  daughter.  She  wanted 
Dy;  and  Mars  must  find  Zermah. 

.c^l^^  ^^^J}         them!"  exclaimed  James  Burbank. 

Mars  and  Gilbert  will  help  in  the  search." 
Yes,  father,  and  without  losing  a  day  !" 

"As  we  have  got  hold  of  Texar,"  said  Mr.  Burbank, 
"  Texar  must  speak." 

^^"And  if  he  refuses  to  speak?"  asked  Mr.  Stannard. 

It  he  pretends  he  knows  nothing  about  the  disappear- 
ance of  Dy  and  Zermah  ?" 

And  how  can  he?  "  said  Gilbert.  "  Did  not  Zermah 
recognize  him  at  Marine  Creek?  Did  not  Alice  and 
niother  hear  Zermah  shout  his  name  as  the  boat  moved 
off;  Can  you  doubt  that  he  was  the  author  of  the  out- 
rage, and  was  m  command  there?"' 

Texar!"  said  Mrs.  Bnrkank,  risiilg  as  if  she 
would  have  thrown  herself  out  of  bed. 
^  "  Yes,"  said  Alice,  "  I  recognized  him  !    He  was  stand- 
ing up  m  the  stern  of  the  boat,  which  he  was  steering 
mto  mid-stream. 


lid 


"Be  it  so/'  said  Mr.  Stannard.  "It  was  Texar. 
There  is  no  doubt  !  But  if  he  refuses  to  say  where  he  has 
hidden  them,  where  are  we  to  look?^for  we  have  searched 
in  vain  along  the  river  for  miles." 

To  this  question,  so  clearly  put,  there  was  no  reply. 
All  depended  on  what  the  Spaniard  said.  Was  it  his  in- 
terest to  speak  or  be  silent? 

"  Do  you  know  where  the  scoundrel  usually  lives  ?" 
asked  Gilbert. 

"No  one  knows;  no  one  has  ever  known,"  said  James 
Burbank.  "  In  the  south  of  the  country  there  are  so 
many  huge  forests  and  inaccessible  marshes  where  he  could 
hide  himself.  To  explore  that  country  would  be  in  vain. 
The  Federals  themselves  could  not  there  pursue  the  re- 
treating militia.    It  would  be  trouble  thrown  away." 

"  I  must  have  my  daughter  !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Bur- 
bank. 

"  My  wife  !  I  will  find  my  wife  !"  said  Mars  ;  "  and  I 
will  force  the  rascal  to  tell  me  where  she  is." 

'*Yes,"  said  James  Burbank,  "when  the  man  sees  he 
may  save  his  life  by  speaking,  he  will  speak.  If  he  were 
in  flight  we  might  despair.  With  him  in  Federal  hands, 
we  can  get  his  secret  out  of  him.  Have  confidence,  my 
poor  w3e  !  We  are  on  the  track,  and  we  will  give  you 
back  your  child." 

Mrs.  Burbank  fainted  and  fell  back  on  her  bed.  Alice 
remained  with  her,  while  Mr.  Stannard,  James  Burbank, 
Gilbert  and  Mars  went  down  into  the  hall  to  talk  matters 
over  with  Edward  Carrol. 

It  was  agreed  to  wait  till  the  Federals  had  organized 
their  capture,  and  that  Commodore  Dupont  should  be  in- 
formed of  the  facts  relative  not  only  to  J ackson ville,  but 
to  Camdless  Bay.  Perhaps  he  would  decide  to  bring 
Texar  at  once  before  a  military  tribunal. 

Gilbert  and  Mars  would  not  let  the  day  pass  without 
starting  on  their  search.  While  James  Burbank  and 
Stannard  and  Carrol  were  thinking  over  the  first  steps, 
they  would  be  off  up  the  St.  John's,  in  the  hope  of  dis- 
covering a  clue. 

Was  it  not  to  be  feared  that  Texar  would  refuse  to 
speak,  and  in  his  hatred  prefer  to  nndergo  the  last  penalty, 
rather  than  surrender  his  victims  ?   Better  to  do  without 


180 


TEiAR'g  REVENGE. 


him.  Let  them  discover  where  it  was  he  lived.  But  that 
was  a  vain  search.  Thej  knew  nothing  of  Black  Creek. 
They  thought  the  lagoon  was  inaccessible.  And  they 
passed  along  by  the  thicket  on  the  bank  without  discover- 
ing the  narrow  entrance. 

Inuring  the  13th  of  March  there  was  no  change  in  the 
situation.  At  Camdless  Bay  the  reorganization  of  the 
estate  proceeded  slowly.  From  all  parts  of  the  district, 
from  the  neigbouring  forests,  into  which  they  had  been 
forced  to  disperse,  the  blacks  were  returning  in  great 
numbers.  Although  set  at  liberty  by  the  generous  act  of 
James  Burbank,  they  did  not  think  that  all  obligation 
to  him  was  at  an  end.  They  would  be  his  servants  if 
they  could  not  be  his  slaves.  They  longed  to  get  back  on 
the  plantation,  to  rebuild  the  barracoons  destroyed  by 
Texar's  roughs,  to  set  up  the  factories  and  refit  the  work- 
shops, and  resume  the  work  which  for  so  many  years  had 
been  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  their  families. 

The  routine  of  the  plantation  was  first  taken  in  hand. 
Edward  Carrol,  almost  cured  of  his  wound,  resumed  his 
accustomed  work.  There  was  plenty  of  zeal  on  the  part 
of  Perry  and  the  assistant- overseers.  Even  Pyg  bestirred 
himself,  although  he  did  not  do  much. .  The  poor  creature 
had  rather  come  down  in  his  ideas.  He  called  him- 
self free,  but  he  acted  like  a  platonic  freedman,  much  em- 
barrassed to  use  the  liberty  which  he  had  the  right  to  en- 
joy. When  the  men  had  returned  to  Camdless  Bay,  and 
rebuilt  the  houses  that  had  suffered,  the  plantation  would 
soon  resume  its  accustomed  aspect.  Whatever  might  be 
the  issue  of  the  war,  there  was  every  reason  to  hope  that 
security  was  assured  to  the  Florida  planters. 

^  Order  was  re-established  at  Jacksonville.  The  Federals 
did  not  attempt  to  interfere  with  the  municipal  adminis- 
tration. They  occupied  the  town  for  military  purposes, 
and  left  the  civic  authority  to  the  magistrates  whom  the 
outbreak  had  for  a  time  suspended.  It  was  enough  that 
the  stars  and  stripes  floated  over  the  buildings.  If  the 
majority  of  the  inhabitants  were  not  indifferent  to  the 
question  which  divided  the  States,  they  at  least  showed  no 
repugnance  at  submitting  to  the  victorious  party.  The 
unionist  cause  would  meet  with  no  opposition.  The  doc- 
trine of  "  state's  right"  dear  to  Georgia  and  the  Oarolinaa 


A  fftîSOtfËK.  Igj 
Was  not  hold  in  Florida  with  anything  like  the  same 
theîvl^oZ  "       '''''  Federals  withdiw 

ThJ'o  ^T^'  "î  ^^'^  had  been  as  follows 

I  he  Confederates,  in  order  to  support  Beanre-'ard  had 
sent  S.Z  gunboats,  under  Commodore  Hollins!  who  had 
taken  up  his  position  on  the  Mississippi,  between  New 
Madrid  and  Island  Ten.     A  struggle  be|an,  in  wWeh  hi 

vn  !  1?,  +  it'"^  ^^^^^^^'^  The  day  that  Jackson 

Tille  fellto  Stevens,  the  Federal  artillery  opened  against 
Hollins's  gunboats    The  advantage  rested  with  the  Sh 
erners,  who  took  Island  Ten  and, New  Madrid,  and  thus 
occupied  the  course  of  the  Mississippi  for  a  hundred  and 

At  this  time  much  hesitation  showed  itself  in  the  plans 

submit  hff'.'^T™'"'"*-  ^«'^^'•^1  MacClellan  had  ?o 
submit  his  Ideas  to  a  council  of  war,  and  although  thev 
were  approved  by  the  majority  of  the  council,  President 
Lincoln's  yieldingto  regrettable  influences  postponed  the  r 
execution.  The  army  of  the  Potomac  was  divided  so  as 
to  assure  the  safety  of  Washington.  Fortui  atelv  tbp 
Victory  of  the  Monitor  and  the  flifht  of  the  Fï"S  had 

ÎKf.fJ^'rr^f'''^  Chesapeake;  and  Xeprecip 

rtate  retreat  of  the  Confederates,  after  the  evacuation  of 

te  thatTo'wn    '/^rv  *°  ^°  cantonments 

Ô"f  ttVXLc  wasttS*'^  '"'''^^^^ 
Politics  have  always  a  disastrous  effect  on  military 
ffn^'L       the„,,take  of  the  North  now  suffered  Severely 
from  a  decision  come  to  for  political  purposes.  GeS 

command^-in-chiefof  the 
Federal  armies.  His  command  was  reduced  to  that  of 
the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  other  corps  now  be 

afr^his-'S.vK^^^^^^^ 

fate     Thl  verv'^  lîî"'^  i"*y^      '•«^■■«"«d  himself  to  h 
»i,-\  ^"^jefy  "e^t  day  he  formed  a  plan  the  obiect  of 

îhé'LT*"''^'^  °"  *he  beach  V  Fort  Zn  oe 

The  plan  was  adopted  by  the  chiefs  of  the  corps  and  ap-' 


J  §2  tEXAR*S  REVEîïGÏÏ. 

proved  by  the  president.  The  war  minister  sent  orders 
to  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Baltimore,  and  vessels 
of  all  kinds  arrived  in  the  Potomac  to  take  on  board 
General  MacCellan's  army  and  its  baggage.  The  threats 
which  so  long  had  made  Washington  tremble  would  cease, 
and  Eichmond,  the  Southern  capital,  would  in  its  turn 
be  threatened.  ,  ,     ^  -rn 

Such  was  the  situation  of  the  belligerents  when  Florida 
submitted  to  General  Sherman  and  Commodore  I>ilPoijt. 
At  the  same  time  that  their  squadron  completed  the 
blockade  of  the  Eloridan  Coast,  they  had  become  masters 
of  the  St.  John's,  and  assured  themselves  of  the  complete 
possession  of  the  peninsula.  ,  . 

In  vain  had  Gilbert  and  Mars  explored  the  banks  and 
islands  up  to  Picolata.  And  all  that  could  be  done  was 
to  deal  with  Texar.  From  the  day  when  the  doors  of  the 
prison  shut  on  him  he  had  had  no  communication  with 
his  accomplices.  And  it  seemed  to  follow  that  Dy  and 
Zermah  would  be  found  wherever  they  might  have  been 
before  the  Federal  occupation. 

The  state  of  things  at  Jacksonville  was  now  such  that 
justice  could  safely  be  left  to  take  its  course  against  the 
Spaniard,  if  he  refused  to  give  information.  But  before 
proceeding  to  extremes  it  was  hoped  he  would  make  cer- 
tain confessions  on  condition  of  being  set  at  liberty. 

On  the  14th  it  was  decided  to  try  what  could  be  done, 
the  military  authorities  having  previously  signified  their 
approval. 

Mrs.  Burbank  had  recovered  her  strength.  The  return 
of  her  son,  the  hope  of  soon  seeing  her  child,  the  peace 
which  had  settled  down  on  the  country,  and  the  safety 
now  guaranteed  to  Camdless  Èay  had  all  united  in  restor- 
ing to  her  the  energy  she  had  lost.  There  was  no  more 
to  fear  from  the  partisans  of  Texar,  who  had  terrorized 
over  Jacksonville.  The  militia  bad  retired  into  the  in- 
terior of  Putnam  county.  If,  later  on,  the  St.  Augustine 
militia,  after  passing  the  river  farther  up,  joined  hands 
with  them  in  attempting  an  expedition  against  the  Fed- 
erals, the  peril  would  be  distant,  and  need  cause  no  anx- 
.  iety  while  Dupont  and  Sherman  remained  in  Florida. 
It  was  agreed  that  James  and  Gilbert  Burbank  should  go 
to  Jacksonville  this  very  day,  and  go  alone.    Carrol,  Stan* 


A  PfiiSÔNBS.  18S 

hard  and  Mars  would  remain  at  the  plantation;  Alice 
could  not  leave  Mrs.  Burbank.  The  young  officer  ^nd  his 
father  thought  they  would  be  back'  before  night,  and 

i  r  "'P'"^  t'^'^y  would  see  about 

their  deliverance,  which  would  doubtless  be  accomplished 
m  a  few  hours,  or  a  day  at  the  outside. 

ficwapart**^  "'^'''^  ^"'"^  '""'^  "f- 

har^ii"?!',"  lî'*"*!'^:  Soing  to  see  a  man  who 

has  done  much  evil  to  your  family.  He  is  a  scoundrel 
who  would  have  killed  both  you  a^^nd  your  father Tèit 

aré  ;fth\7xar.?''''"'''      *°  ""''^        ^^'"P^^  ^l'^» 

"Keep  my  temper!"  exclaimed  Gilbert,  who  grew  pale 
wi  h  anger  at  the  mere  mention  of  the  Spaniard's  name. 
.  It  IS  necessary  for  you  to  do  so.  You  will  gain  noth- 
ing by  being  angry.  Forget  all  idea  of  vengealce  to  se- 
cure the  safety  of  your  sister,  who  will  soon  be  mine- 
li^or  that  you  must  sacrifice  everything.  You  must  make 
Texar  feej  sure  that  he  has  nolhi^ig  to^fear  in  the  futuiX" 
"Nothing!  Do  you  forget  that  owing  to  him  mv 
mother  might  have  died,  my  father  mifht  have  be^^ 

""'g'?*.!""-  Gilbert;  you  whom  I  never 

not  thmk  of  It  any  more!  I  tell  you,  because  I  am  afraid 
that  your  father  will  not  control  himself,  and  if  you  do 
not  do  so  you  will  fail.  Why  did  you  decide  to  <.o  to 
Jacksonville  without  me?   I  might  have  gained  by  kind! 

this  man  refuses  to  answer?"  asked  Gilbert 
who  felt  the  justice  of  Alice's  advice.  ^"oeit, 

V      ''l^"^®-^  ^V"-         ^^"""^  the  magistrates  to  com- 
Ft  Kv""-  v?'        ^-'f,  ''^"'       ^hen  he  lees  he  can  save 
the  name  of  our  love,  promise  me—" 
don7?f  y^''  .Whatever  he  may  have 

"  rond  Vrf"'w°'?  '"y^ter,  I  will  forget  it." 

trial  whthwl."''-  P^^'^*^  a'terrible 

trial,  which  will  soon  be  at  an  end.    For  the  sad  davs  we 
have  been  through  God  will  give  us  years  of  happS." 


fBXAB^S  EfiVËÎ^tdfi!. 

Gilbert  clasped  the  hands  of  his  sweetheart,  who  could 
not  restrain  a  few  tears,  and  they  parted. 

At  ten  o'clock  James  Burbank  and  his  son  took  leave 
of  their  friends,  and  entered  a  boat  at  the  little  landing- 

^^The  river  was  being  speedily  crossed  when,  at  an  ob- 
servation of  Gilbert's,  the  boat,  instead  of  running 
straight  to  Jacksonville,  was  steered  for  Captain  Stevens  s 

gunboat.  <.   i    -  ti. 

Stevens  was  in  military  charge  of  the  town.  It  was 
therefore  best  that  James  Bnrbank's  undertaking  should 
be  first  of  all  submitted  to  him  for  approval.  His  com- 
munications with  the  authorities  were  frequent.  He 
knew  what  Texar  had  done  when  in  power,  what  was  his 
share  of  the  responsibility  in  the  events  that  had  laid  the 
plantation  waste,  and  why  and  how  he  had  been  arrested 
when  the  militia  had  begun  to  retreat.  He  knew  of  the 
reaction  which  had  taken  place  against  Texar,  and  how 
the  whole  respectable  population  of  Jacksonville  were 
asking  that  he  should  be  punished  for  his  crimes. 

Stevens  gave  a  willing  reception  to  the  Burbanks.  For 
the  young  officer  he  had  particular  esteem,  having  been 
able  to  appreciate  his  character  and  courage  while  Gilbert 
was  under  his  orders.  After  the  return  of  Mars  to  the 
flotilla,  when  h«  learnt  that  Gilbert  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  he  did  his  utmost  to  save  him.  But 
stopped  before  the  bar  of  the  St.  John's,  how  could  he 
reach  him  in  time?  We  know  under  what  circumstances 
the  safety  of  the  prisoners  had  been  obtained. 

In  a  few  words  Gilbert  told  him  what  had  passed,  con- 
firming what  had  already  been  reported  by  Mars.  There 
could  be  no  doubt  that  Texar  was  personally  responsible 
for  the  outrage  at  Marine  Creek,  and  that  he  alone  could 
say  where  Dy  and  Zermah  were  now  detained  by  his  ac- 
complices. That  their  fate  was  in  the  Spaniard's  hands 
was  only  too  evident,  and  Stevens  saw  this  at  once.  Would 
he  allow  the  Burbanks  to  take  the  matter  in  hand  and  act 
as  they  thought  fit?  He  approved  of  all  that  had^  been 
done;  and  if  it  was  necessary  to  set  Texar  free,  he  would 
do  so,  and  take  the  responsibility  with  the  Jacksonville 
magistrates. 

James  and  Gilbert  Burbank,  having  obtained  full  per- 


mission,  thanked  the  captain,  and  reeeived  fr©m  Mm  a 
written  permission  to  communicate  with  the  Spaniard 
Ihey  then  resumed  their  voyage  to  Jacksonville. 

Ihere  they  met  Mr.  Harvey,  by  appointment.  The 
three  then  went  to  the  court,  where  they  received  from 
the  magistrates  an  order  to  enter  the  prison 

A  psychologist  would  have  been  much  interested  in 
lexar  s  bearing  and  conduct  since  his  incarceration.  There 
could  be  no  doubt  that  he  was  very  angry  at  the  arrival  of 
the  Federal  troops,  which  put  an  end  to  his  beinff  first 
magistrate  of  the  town.  Although  he  had  held  the  power 
to  do  what  he  liked,  and  had  every  facility  for  ffiatifyinff 
his  personal  hatred  yet  a  delay  of  a  few  hours  had  pre- 
vented him  from  shooting  James  and  Gilbert  Burbank^ 
But  his  regret  went  no  further.    That  he  was  in  the 
hands  of  his  enemies,  imprisoned  on  the  most  serious 
charges,  responsible  for  all  the  violent  deeds  that  could  be 
so  justly  laid  to  his  charge,  seemed  to  be  a  matter  of  per- 
fect mdifference  to  him.    His  only  trouble  was  that  he 
had  not  brought  to  completion  his  plans  against  the 
Burbanks.    He  seemed  to  take  no  interest  whatever 
m  the  proceedings  against  him.    Would  he  now  render 
h^m?       ^^^^^^^^  ^^out  to  be  made  to  get  a  word  from 

The  door  of  the  cell  opened.  James  and  Gilbert  Bur- 
bank  were  in  the  prisoner's  presence. 

"Ah  !  the  father  and  the  son,''  said  Texar  in  the  inso- 
lent tone  that  was  habitual  to  him.  I  ou^ht  to  be  much 
obliged  to  the  Federals  !  Without  them  I  sLuld  not  have 
had  the  honour  of  this  visit.  The  mercy  you  no  longer  a^k 
for  yourselves  you  have  doubtless  come  to  offer  me  " 

liie  tone  was  so  provoking  that  James  Burbank  would 
have  exploded  had  not  his  son  restrained  him 

Father  let  me  speak.  Texar  would  like  to  meet  us  on 
ground  where  we  cannot  follow  him-that  of  recrimination. 
It  IS  useless  to  talk  about  the  past.  It  is  with  the  present 
we  are  concerned— the  present  alone." 

"€^he  present!''  exclaimed  Texar;  ''or  rather  the 
present  situation  Î  It  seems  to  me  that  is  clear  enough  ? 
Ihree  days  ago  yon  were  in  this  cell,  which  you  would 
never  have  left  but  to  meet  your  death.  To-day  I  am  i^ 
S^''^""^'  '^''''^  '^''''^  comfortable  than  you 


186 


texab's  revenge. 


The  reply  was  disconcerting,  for  the  Burbanks  had  oome 
to  offer  him  his  freedom  in  exchange  for  his  secret. 

**Texar,"  said  Gilbert,  "hsten  to  me.  We  will  act 
frankly  with  you.  What  you  have  done  at  Jacksonville  is 
no  qoncern  of  ours.  What  you  have  done  at  Camdless 
Bay  we  are  willing  to  forget.  We  are  interested  in  only 
one  thing.  My  sister  and  Zermah  disappeared  the  night 
your  partisans  invaded  the  plantation  and  laid  siege  to 
Castle  House.    It  is  certain  that  both  were  carried  off — 

Carried  off  V  answered  Texar,  mechanically.  "  I  am 
delighted  to  hear  if 

"To  hear  it!"  exclaimed  James  Burbank.  "Do  you 
deny,  you  scoundrel,  dare  you  deny — " 

"Father,"  said  the  lieutenant,  "keep  cool — ^you  must. 
Yes,  Texar,  they  were  carried  off  during  the  attack  on  the 
plantation.    Do  you  admit  that  you  did  it  ?" 

"I  have  nothing  to  answer." 

"Do  you  refuse  to  tell  us  where  my  sister  and  Zermah 
have  been  taken  under  your  orders  ?" 
"  I  repeat,  I  have  nothing  to  answer." 
"Not  even  if  by  speaking  we  could  set  you  free?" 
"I  do  not  want  to  be  free." 

"  And  who  will  open  the  gates  of  this  prison  for  you  ?" 
exclaimed  James  Burbank,  whom  so  much  impudence  had 
completely  astounded. 

"  The  judges  I  ask  for." 

"  The  judges  !  They  will  condemn  you  without  mercy." 
"  Then  I  shall  see  what  is  to  be  done." 
"  So  you  definitely  refuse  to  reply?"  asked  Gilbert,  for 
the  last  time. 
"I  refuse." 

"  Even  at  the  price  of  the  liberty  I  offer  ?" 
^  "  I  do  not  want  your  liberty." 
'  "  Even  at  the  price  of  the  fortune  I  offer  you  ?" 

"  I  do  not  want  your  fortune.  And  now,  gentlemen, 
leave  me  alone." 

It  must  be  admitted  that  the  Burbanks  were  completely 
bewildered  at  such  assurance.  On  what  could  it  rest? 
How  dare  Texar  expose  himself  to  a  trial  which  could  only 
have  one  result?  Neither  liberty  nor  all  the  gold  they 
had  offered  could  tempt  him  to  answer.  Was  his  inex- 
tinguishable hatred  forcing  him  to  act  against  his  owu 
interests  ?^ 


A  PEISONEE.  jg^ 

"Come,  father,  come  !"  said  the  youn^  officer  •  anrl  Tip 
led  James  Burbank  out  of  the  prison.  At  tte  door  they 
rejomed  Mr.  Harvey,  and  the  three  went  off  trCaptein 
^^T""'  \  ''^I'^^*         ^^^t  «f  success.  ^ 

Meanwhile  a  proclamation  from  Commodore  Dnnont 
had  arrived  on  board  the  flotilla.    It  was  addressed  f?fh« 

De  talten  ot  pohtical  opmions,  nor  of  what  had  happened 
m  Florida  since  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war.  SubEon 
to  t^he  flag  covered  all  responsibihties  in  a  public  pdnt  of 

an^^^jf ^""^^^  ^xî'  a  very  wise  one  in  itself  and  in 

accordance  with  President  Lincoln^s  policy  in  all  similar 

lexar  s  case.  He  had  usurped  the  powers  of  the  regular 
au  horit.es  and  used  them  ^to  organL  resistance.  Tet 
so.     ihat  was  a  question  between  Southerners  arid 

concerned  But  attempts  on  persons,  the  invasion  of 
Camdless  Bay  directed  against  a  Northerner,  the  destrac 
tiou  of  James  Burbank's  property,  the  capture  of  his 
daughter  and  a  woman  in  his  service,  were  crimes  aSinst 
ordinary  law,  and  for  them  redress  could  be  had  T  the 
regular  course  of  justice. 

fo/ Vexlr"?o™Zef  'Yl'^^  ^''''}^  ™  "^"^^^  ^^^^^ 
lor  iexar  to  appear  before  the  mil  tary  tribunal  on  the 

double  charge  of  pillage  and  abduction:    It  was  before 

would  ha;no*an,w*'°/  the  acouid 

wouia  nave  to  answer  for  his  crimes. 


188 


texar's  revenge. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


ST.  AUGUSTIKE. 


St.  Augustine  is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  m  North 
Ajnerica  and  dates  from  the  fifteenth  century.    It  is  the 
of  St.  John^s  county,  which,  large  as  it  is,  contains 

it  It  ris"^-^^^  the  ei^  of  one  of  the  islands  on  the 

coast.    Its  harbour  is  a  safe  ijfuge  for  ship  of  war 
commerce;  it  is  well  protected  against  the  winds  which 
unœSy  sweep  in  from  the  sea  along  the  dangerous 
Zre     But  to  enter  it  vessels  have  to  cross  the  bar  which 
the  eddies  of  the  Gulf  Stream  heap  back  at  its  mof  h^^ 

The  streets  of  St.  Augustme  are  narrow,  like  those  of  all 
cities  beneath  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun.  .Owing  to  th^^^^ 
position,  and  to  the  sea-breezes  which  night  and  morning 
freshen  the  atmosphere,  the  climate  is  a  mild  one,  and  the 
town  is  to  the  United  States  what  Nice  and  Mentone  are 

^'^TCpopulation  is  thickest  about  the  ^larbour  and  th^^^  ' 
neighbouring  streets.    The  suburbs,  with  their  few  huts 
covlred  with  palm-leaves,  would  be  completely  deserted 
were  it  not  for  the  dogs,  pigs,  and  cows  allowed  to  wander 

The^cfty,^?^^^^^^  so  called,  has  a  very  Spanish  look. 
The  houses  have  strongly-barred  windows,  and  m  the 
interior  they  have  the  traditional  patio,  or  central  court, 
surrounded  by  slender  colonnades,  fantastic  gables,  and 
carved  balconies.  Sometimes,  on  Sundays  or  hohday^  the 
houses  pour  forth  their  inhabitants  into  the  town,  iiien 
there  is  the  strangest  mixture  of  se^ioras,  négresses,  mu- 
lattoes,  half-breeds,  Indians,  thoroughbred  blacks,  English 
ladies,  gentlemen,  clergymen,  monks,  and  Cathohc  priests, 
all  with  a  cigarette  in  their  lips,  even  when  they  are  going 
to  the  Calvary,  which  is  the  parish  church  of  St,  Augustine, 


ST.  AUGUSTIKE.  Igg 

•whose  bells  have  rung  their  peal  almost  without  interruu- 
tion  since  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century  ""'^""P 
We  must  not  forget  the  markets,  richly  stored  with 
vegetables  fish,  poultry,  pigs,  lambs-siau|htered  arre- 
quired  by  the  buyers-egg.,  rice,  boiled  bananas,  friioTes- 
a  sort  of  smal  cooked  bean-in  short,  all  the  troScal 
fruits,  pineapples,  dates,  olives,  pomegknate»,  omneS 

fo  Se^fft''^'''  \i'  "'T^''^^-''"  the  best'coTdS 
to  make  life  agreeable  and  easy  in  this  part  of  Florida 

Ibe  highways  are  not  cleansed  by  paid  scavens-ers  but 

bLrv,r^/""r''  law^otectrand  foS 

being  killed  under  very  strong  penalties.    The  birds  eat 

nlS^^'        ir^'^^'^Wchtre'^in  considerable  nur^bers 
notwithstanding  the  voracity  of  the  feathered  scavengers 

town     m»lT  '""'^"S      "^'"^  of  the 

town.  Where  the  roads  cross,  a  glance  will  show  manv  a 
group  of  trees  with  its  branches  above  the  roofs  of  the 
houses  and  alive  with  its  noisy  crowd  of  wild  parrots 
Often  there  are  huge  palms  waving  their  foliage  inCair 
Ike  huge  fans  or  Indian  punkaht.  Here  Jd  there  are 
large  oaks  garlanded  with  lianas  and  glycenas  and 
bouquets  of  gigantic  cactuses,  which  at  theif  base  form  an 
impenetrable  hedge.     Everything  is  cheering  and  at 

tW  w!;        ^""'"^  ^«  if  the  vulture!  oni;  did 

their  work  more  conscientiously.    Decidedly  they  are  not 
as  good  as  mechanical  sweepers.  ^ 

At  St.  Augustine  there  are  but  one  or  two  steam  saw 
mills,  acgar  factory,  and  a  turpentine  dirtiUery  S 
\Zlf         commercial  than  industrial,  and  exports  o? 
fiZ  Ind'^rit''''\t'''''."^'  '"l"""'  i"<3.go,  gums,  timber' 
eno^^h  wfth\.  the  harbour  is  busy 

în  thf  tr!i\  ^  'l'^P^rture  of  steamers  employed 

m  the  trade  and  passenger  service  to  the  different  porti  of 
the  ocean  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  e  lu  poi  is  oi 

.  St.  Augustine  is  the  seat  of  one  of  the  six  courts  of 
justice  existing  in  Florida.  Its  only  means  of  defence  are 
a  solitary  fort-Fort  Marion,  or  St.  Mark-built  "n  the 
Oastihan  style  m  the  seventeenth  century.  Vauban  or 
buT?M=''r?  T?''^  "^^htless  have  made  ^ery  littk  o?  it 
but  It  IS  admired  by  archaeologists  and  antiquaries  for  its 

Z'luZVf T'^  "^«^""«^        ml^hi  elation 
and  Its  old  guns  and  mortars,  whieh  weuld  be  moie 


190 


texar's  revenge. 


dangerous  for  those  that  fire  them  than  those  they  are 
fired  against.  . 

It  was  this  fort  which  the  Confederate  garrison  had  hur- 
riedly abandoned  at  the  approach  of  the  Federal  flotilla, 
although  the  Government,  a  few  years  before  the  war, 
ha^  improved  its  means  of  defence.  After  the  militia 
had  left,  the  inhabitants  of  St.  Augustine  had  voluntarily 
submitted  to  Commodore  Dupont,  who  occupied  the 
town  without  a  blow. 

The  proceedings  against  the  S])aniard,  Texar,  had 
made  much  noise  in  the  county.  It  seemed  as  though 
there  was  at  last  to  be  an  end  to  the  strife  between  this 
suspicious  individual  and  the  Burbank  family.  The  ab- 
duction of  the  little  girl  and  Zermah  was  calculated  to  in- 
tensify the  public  opinion,  which  had  pronounced  em- 
phatically in  favour  of  the  planter  of  Camdless  Bay. 
Tliere  could  be  no  doubt  that  Texar  was  the  author  of  the 
crime.  But  it  would  be  curious  to  see  how  he  would  get 
out  of  the  charge,  and  whether  he  would  get  off,  as  he 
had  always  done  before. 

Excitement  threatened  to  be  great  at  St.  Augustine. 
The  proprietors  of  the  neighbouring  plantations  crowded 
in.  The  matter  was  of  great  interest  to  them  personally, 
as  one  of  the  charges  referred  to  the  overrunning  and 
pillage  of  Camdless  Bay.  Other  plantations  had  also 
been  ravaged  by  the  Southerners,  and  it  was  important 
to  know  how  the  Federal  Government  would  look  upon 
such  crimes  against  the  common  welfare,  though  perpe- 
trated under  cover  of  politics. 

The  chief  hotel  in  St.  Augustine,  the  City,  had  accom- 
modated a  goodly  number  of  visitors  whose  sympathy  was 
entirely  with  the  Burbank  family,  and  it  could  accommo- 
date a  great  many  more.  And,  for  a  hotel,  there  could 
be  no  more  appropriate  building  than  this  huge  sixteenth- 
century  house,  the  old  home  of  the  corregidor,  with  its 
puerta,  or  principal  door,  covered  with  carvings,  its  sola 
or  room  of  honour,  its  interior  court  with  the  columns 
garlanded  with  passion-flowers,  its  verandah,  on  to  which 
opened  the  most  comfortable  rooms  with  their  wainscot- 
ing hidden  under  the  brightest  colours  of  emerald  and 
golden  yellow,  its  miradors  on  the  walls  in  Spanish  fash- 
ion, its  leaping  fountains  and,  smiling  grass  plats,  all  in  a 
vast  enclosure,  the  high-walled  patio. 


ST.  AUGUSTINE.  Jgj 

There  it  was  that  James  and  Gilbert  Burbank,  and  Mr. 
Stannard  and  his  dangliter,  accompanied  by  Mars,  had 
taken  up  tlieir  abode  the  evening  before 

vilt  uilT  "'^  P"-''^""  Jackson- 

Hn,î;;     w,  and  h,s  son  had  returned  to  Castle 

House.  When  they  leai'nt  tliat  Texar  refused  to  answer 
any  questions  about  Dy  or  Zermah,  the  family  felt  tTei r 
last  hope  vanish,  although  the  news  that  Texar  won  , 

■  IZ'n  "''"''"■^  j"^''''^      his  doings  at  Oamd 

Bay  was  some  consolation.    In  view  of  a  sentence 
which  he  could  not  escape,  the  Spaniard  would  doubtle4 

In  this  matter  Alice  Siannard  would  be  the  princinal 
witness.  She  had  been  at  Marine  Creek  when^Zermal 
had  shouted  Texar's  name,  and  she  had  recognized  the 
scoundrel  in  the  boat  which  bore  him  away.  ^  She  had 
corne  to  St.  Augustine,  and  her  father  and  his  friends 
had  accompanied  her.  After  dinner,  on-  the  16tl  they 
had  bidden  farewell  to  Mrs.  Burbank  and  Edward  Carrot 
One  of  the  steamboats  liad  embarked  them  at  Camd]^ 
landed  tliem  at  Picolata,  and  thence  a"  a^ 

the  oaks,  and  cypresses,  and  plantains,  whilh  here  abound 
Before  midnight  con.fortable  hospitality  had  received 
them  in  the  apartments  of  the  City  Hotel  ™<=ei^ea 

be  imagined  "''h'^''"  abandoned  by  his  friends,  as  might 
be  imagined  H.s  partisans  were  chiefly  among  the 
smaller  planters,  all  of  them  embittered  slavehofdei s 
Knowing  that  they  would  not  have  to  answe  for  a  i v  oi 
the  troubles  at  Jacksonville,  his  companions  resolved  to 
rally  round  their  old  chief.    Many  of  them  had  coi^e  to 

tl  e  C  fv  Hotpl  patio  of 

tlie  City  Hotel  that  one  would  look  for  them;  but  there 

were  many  of  them  in  the  inns  in  the  town,  in  the  tieS 

where  the  half-bred  Spaniards  and  Creeks  ell  evernhing 

tnat  can  be  eaten,  drunk,  or  smoked.    There  these  indi 

viduals  of  low  origin  and  equivocal  reputation  lost  no  op 

portunity  of  protesting  in  Texar's  favSun  ^ 

Commodore  Dupont  was  not  now  at  St.  Augustine  He 

was  away  on  the  blockade.    But  the  troops  fanded  after 

the  surrender  of  Fort  Marion  were  in  fir£  possession  S 


192 


texar's  eevenge. 


the  city.  There  was  no  movement  to  be  feared  on  the 
•part  of  the  Southerners  or  of  the  militia,  who  were  re- 
treating on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  If  the  partisans 
of  Texar  attempted  any  rescue,  they  would  be  immediately 
put  down.  . 

One  of  the  gunboats  had  brought  the  Spaniard  to 
Picolata,  and  thence  he  had  been  brought  under  a  strong 
escort,  and  placed  in  one  of  the  cells  in  the  fort,  from 
which  escape  was  impossible.  As  he  had  demanded  a 
trial,  he  was  not  likely  to  attempt  an  escape.  His  par- 
tisans were  aware  of  this.  If  he  were  condemned  this 
time,  they  would  see  what  they  could  do  to  help  him,  but 
till  then  they  would  be  quiet. 

In  the  absence  of  the  Commodore,  Colonel  Gardner  was 
in  military  command.  He  was  the  president  of  the  court- 
martial,  appointed  to  try  Texar  in  one  of  the  rooms  of 
Fort  Marion.  This  was  the  colonel  who  had  assisted  at 
the  capture  of  Fernandina,  and  it  was  at  his  orders  that 
the  prisoners  captured  from  the  train  by  the  Ottawa  had 
been  detained  for  forty-eight  hours,  a  fact  which  it  is  here 
important  to  notice. 

The  court-martial  opened  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  A  numerous  public  filled  the  room.  Amongst 
the  noisiest  of  the  crowd  were  the  friends  and  partisans  of 
the  accused. 

James  and  Gilbert  Burbank,  Mr.  Stannard,  his 
daughter,  and  Mars  occupied  the  place  reserved  for  the 
witnesses.  There  seemed  to  be  no  defence.  No  witnesses 
were  apparently  to  be  called.  Did  the  Spaniard  scorn  all 
evidence,' or  had  he  found  it  impossible  to  bring  any  to 
his  help?  It  would  soon  be  known.  Anyhow,  there 
seemed  to  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  issue  of  the  affair. 

An  indefinable  presentiment  had  seized  upon  Jame» 
Burbank.  Was  it  not  in  this  very  town  that  he  had  b<^- 
fore  prosecuted  Texar?  Had  not  he  then,  by  an  incow- 
testable  alibi,  escaped  from  justice? 

As  soon  as  the  court-martial  was  seated  Texar  wa».' 
brought  in.  He  sat  down  coolly  and  quietly.  Nothinj; 
seemed  to  be  able  to  disturb  his  natural  impudence.  A. 
smile  of  disdain  for  his  judges,  a  look  full  of  assurance 
for  the  friends  he  recognized  in  the  room,  a  look  ol 
hatred  for  James  Burbank,  and  then  he  settled  himself 
and  waited  for  Colonel  Gardner  to  begin. 


ST.  AtTOtTSTINE. 


m 


The  interrogatories  began  in  the  usual  way. 

Your  name?''  asked  Colonel  Gardner. 
'^Texar." 
''Your  age?" 
"Thirty-five." 
"  Where  do  you  live?" 
''At  Jacksonville;  at  Torino's  tienda.'' 
"  I  want  to  know  your  usual  abode." 
"  I  have  none." 

James  Burbank  felt  his  heart  beat  as  he  heard  this 
reply,  given  in  a  tone  which  plainly  denoted  a  firm  re- 
solve to  keep  secret  the  teal  place  of  residence. 

The  president  again  tried  to  get  at  the  facts,  but  Texar 
persisted  that  he  had  no  fixed  abode.  He  gave  himself 
out  to  be  a  nomad,  a  backwoodsman,  a  hunter  in  the  vast 
forests,  a  dweller  in  the  cypress-groves,  living  by  his  rifle 
and  his  decoys.  That  was  all  that  could  be  got  from 
him. 

" Be  it  so,"  said  Colonel  Gardner.  "It,  does  not  mat- 
ter much." 

"It  does  not  matter  much,"  said  Texar  impudently. 
"  Put  down,  if  you  like,  Colonel,  that  my  domicile  is 
now  Fort  Marion,  in  St.  Augustine,  where  I  am  detained 
contrary  to  all  justice.  Of  what  am  I  accused,  if  you 
please?"  he  asked,  as  if  he  wished  to  take  the  manage- 
ment of  his  own  trial. 

"  You  are  not  called  upon  to  answer  for  anything  that 
took  place  at  Jacksonville.  A  proclamation  from  Com- 
modore Dupont  has  been  issued  announcing  that  the  Gov- 
ernment will  not  interfere  in  the  local  revolution  which 
substituted  for  the  regular  authorities  of  the  county 
certain  new  magistrates,  whoever  they  may  have  been. 
Florida  is  now  under  the  Federal  flag,  and  the  Governmenr 
of  Washington  will  soon  proceed  with  its  reorganization." 

"  If  I  am  not  charged  with  the  change  in  the  munici- 
pality of  Jacksonville,  and  that  with  the  support  of  the 
majarity  of  the  people,  why  am  I  brought  before  thi« 
court-martial?" 

'^  I  will  tell  you  what  you  pretend  not  to  know.  Crimes 
against  the  common  welfare  have  been  committed  while 
you  were  exercising  the  functions  of  chief  magistrate  of 
the  town.  You  are  accused  of  having  excited  the  violent 
part  of  the  population  to  commit  them." 


1Ô4 


ÏEXAE^S  REVÉNGÊÎ. 


"  What  are  these  crimes?" 
In  the  first  place,  there  is  the  outrage  at  Camdless 
Bay  plantation,  where  a  horde  of  thieves  was  set  loose." 

"And  a  detachment  of  soldiers,  commanded  by  an 
ofiS'cer  of  the  militia,"  added  the  Spaniard  quickly. 

"Be  it  so.  Biit  there  was  robbery,  incendiarism;  and 
armed  attack  against  a  house,  which  it  was  right  to  repel 
— as  was  done." 

"Right?"  answered  Texar.  "Eight  was  not  on  the 
side  of  him  who  refused  to  obey  the  orders  of  a  properly 
constituted  Committee.  James  Burbank — for  he  it  was 
— had  given  his  slaves  their  freedom  in  defiance  of  pub- 
lic opinion,  which,  in  Florida,  as  in  most  of  the  southern 
states  of  the  Union,  is  in  favour  of  slavery.  That  act 
might  have  been  the  cause  of  much  disaster  on  the  neigh- 
bouring plantations  by  exciting  the  blacks  to  revolt.  The 
Committee  of  Jacksonville  decided  that  under  the  circum- 
stances it  was  their  duty  to  interfere.  They  did  not 
annul  the  act  of  enfranchisement,  but  they  thought  fit  to 
expel  the  newly  freed  slaves  from  the  district.  James 
Burbank  refused  to  obey  the  order,  and  the  Committee 
had  to  use  force.  That  is  why  the  militia,  accompanied 
by  some  of  the  inhabitants,  proceeded  to  disperse,  the 
former  slaves  at  Camdless  Bay. 

"  Texar,"  replied  Colonel  Gardner,  "the  court-martial 
cannot  admit  that  the  view  you  take  of  the  outrage  is  the 
correct  one.  James  Burbank  is  a  Northerner  by  birth, 
and  was  quite  within  his  rights  in  freeing  his  slaves. 
Nothing  can  excuse  the  excess  which  took  place  on  his 
plantation."  | 

"  I  consider  that  I  am  losing  time  in  discussing  matters 
of  opinion  with  the  court-martial.  The  Committee  of 
Jacksonville  considered  it  their  duty  to  act  as  they  did. 
Am  I  accused  as  president  of  that  Committee?  Is  it  your 
intention  to  make  me  alone  responsible  for  its  acts?" 

"  Yes.  You  were  not  only  the  president  of  the  Com- 
mittee, but  you  in  person  led  the  thieves." 

"Prove  it,"  said  Texar  coolly.  "Have  you  a  single 
witness  who  saw  me  among  either  the  citizens  or  the 
soldiers  of  the  militia  who  carried  out  the  Committee's 
orders?" 

At  this  reply  Colonel  Gardner  called  on  James  Burbank 
to  give  his  evidence. 


§t.  ÀlTGUSTlNÎÉ. 


105 


James  Burbank  related  what  had  happened  since  Texar 
and  his  partisans  had  superseded  the  regular  authorities 
of  Jacksonville.  He  laid  stress  on  the  attitude  of  the 
accused  in  inciting  the  people  to  attack  his  estate.  But 
to  Colonel  Gardner's  question  as  to  the  presence  of  Texar 
among  the  assailants,  he  could  only  reply  that  he  had  not 
himself  seen  him.  We  know  in  fact  that  when  John 
Bruce,  Mr.  Harvey's  messenger,  had  been  asked  if  the 
Spaniard  was  one  of  the  mob,  the  reply  was  he  could  not 
say. 

"  In  any  case  no  one  can  doubt,''  added  James  Bur- 
bank,  **that  this  man  is  solely  responsible  for  the  crime. 
Hé  it  was  who  incited  the  people  to  attack  me,  and  had 
he  had  his  way  my  house  would  have  been  given  to  the 
flames,  and  destroyed  with  its  last  defenders.  His  hand 
was  in  all  this,  as  it  will  be  found  to  have  been  in  a  still 
more  criminal  act." 

The  witness  offered  no  further  evidence.  Before  deal- 
ing with  the  abduction  it  was  best  to  finish  with  the  first 
charge. 

"And  so,"  continued  Colonel  Gardner,  ''you  say  that 
you  only  had  a  share  in  the  responsibility  which  lay  on 
the  Committee  in  executing  their  order?" 

"That  is  so." 

"  And  you  adhere  to  your  statement  that  you  were  not 
at  the  head  of  those  who  attacked  the  plantation?" 

"  I  do.  You  have  not  a  single  witness  who  can  swear 
he  saw  me.  No;  I  was  not  among  the  brave  citizens  who 
executed  the  Committee's  orders.  And  I  may  add  that 
on  that  day  I  was  absent  from  Jacksonville." 

"Yes;  that  is  possible  after  all,"  said  James  Burbank, 
who  considered  that  it  would  be  better  to  rely  on  the 
second  charge. 

"It  is  true,"  said  Texar. 

"  But  if  you  were  not  amongst  the  thieves  at  Camdless 
Bay,"  continued  James  Burbank,  "you  were  at  Marine 
Creek,  waiting  for  the  opportunity  of  committing  another 
crime." 

"I  was  not  at  Marine  Creek,"  coolly  answered  Texar. 
"  I  was  at  Jacksonville  during  that  day." 

It  will  not  have  beon  forgotten  that  John  Bruce  had 
told  James  Burbank  that  Texar  had  not  been  seen  at 


196 


Jacksonville  during  the  forty-eight  hours  from  the  2nd 
to  the  4th  of  March. 

After  this  statement  of  the  Spaniard's  the  president  oi 
the  court-martial  put  to  him  the  following  questions:— 

",U  you  were  not  at  Jacksonville,  where  were  you?" 

"I  will  tell  you  when  the  times  comes,"  said  Texar. 
"  It  IS  enough  for  me  now  to  have  proved  that  I  was  not 
on  the  plantation  during  the  attack.  And  now,  colonel, 
what  is  the  next  charge?" 

And,  with  his  arms  crossed,  he  glared  impudently  at 
his  accusers,  and  defied  them  to  their  face. 

The  charge  was  not  long  in  coming,  and  Colonel  Gard- 
ner put  it  m  a  way  that  made  it  difficult  to  meet. 

you  were  not  at  Jacksonville,  the  charge  is  that 
you  were  at  Marine  Creek." 

"  At  Marine  Creek?   And  what  did  I  do  there?" 

"You  carried  away  a  child.  Diana  Burbank,  the 
daughter  of  James  Burbank,  and  Zermah,  the  wife  of  -a 

^1  ;        ^^^^^  ^^1'^  present,  who  was  with  the 

child." 

"  Ah  !  I  am  charged  with  this  carrying  away!"  said 
iexar,  m  a  tone  of  profound  irony. 

"Yes,  you!"  exclaimed  James  Burbank,  Gilbert,  and 
Mars,  all  at  once. 

r  ^  accused,  if  you  please,  and  not  some- 

body else?" 

prime  "^^^^^       alone  were  interested  in  committing  this 
"How  interested?" 

"As  an  act  of  revenge  on  the  Burbank  family.  More 
tiiaji  once  before  James  Burbank  had  prosecuted  you. 
±}y  pleading  an  ahbi  you  escaped  from  justice;  but  you 
on  many  occasions  proclaimed  an  intention  of  being  re- 
venged on  those  who  accused  you." 

T  ''^^'K^'^'l'  ^f'^  "^^^^^^  ''Tha<^  between  me  and 
James  Burbank  there  is  an  implacable  hatred  I  do  not 
aeny;  that  I  had  an  interest  in  making  him  break  his 
heart  over  his  child  I  do  not  deny;  but  that  I  did  what 
Jaw  m  J?"  ^^""^^       ^"^^  witnesses  who 

^iaJ'^^'A/^l^  Colonel  Gardner;  and  he  called  on  Alice 
otannara  to  be  sworn. 


Miss  Stannard  related  what  had  passed  at  Marine 
Creek,  bhe  was  absolutely  certain  as  to  the  facts.  In 
coming  from  the  tunnel  she  and  Mrs.  Burbank  had  heard 
the  name  shouted  by  Zermah,  and  that  name  was  Texar's. 

Atter  stumbhng  over  the  corpses  of  the  murdered 
negroes,  she  had  run  along  the  river  bank.  Two  boats 
were  pushing  off  In  one  were  the  victims;  in  the  other 
iTahf  nffi!'  ^P/^ght  m  the  stern.    And  by  the 

nfzedfhflp'^^^^^^^      ^^^^^^^  -og. 

"You  swear  that?"  asked  Colonel  Gardner. 
I  swear  it,"  answered  Alice, 
nf  T^ïli"""  P™fse  declaration  there  could  be  no  donbt 
of  Texar's  guilt.    But  James  Burbank  and  the  entire 
audience  could  not  help  observing  that  the  accused  had 
not  for  a  moment  lost  his  coolness 

JJJ^^nLfZ^  ^        charge?"  asked  the 

president  of  the  court-martial. 

Mil7sl«Cn?J^  *V  ^P^'."'»'^-  J'l  âo  not  wish  to  accuse 
Miss  btannard  of  perjury.  Nor  do  I  accuse  her  of 
serving  the  hatred  of  tfie iurbank  family  ^gSt  me,  by 
if^T^Î  on  oath  that  lam  the  authorof  a  crime  of  wl  ict 
i  Z  fd'''''^  t'"  "^t"'  A"  I      i«  that  she 

boaTs."  '"y'  ™       of  tJie 

said^rnlnLf'r  «i^taken  on  that  point," 

said  Colonel  Gardner,  "she  cannot  be  mistaken  when 

Texarf-  ''''  ^'"""^  ^'^"'^  "'y'  '^elp!    It  Ts 

wa','i!!tYi  fl*^        ^PT'"'^'  "then  if  Miss  Stannard 
«  w  M'-'taken,  Zermah  was,  that  is  all." 

not  therer       ''^ ,  "^""^    7°"  ^ere 

at  mZ^G^Ii.'''  '  '''''''  «'^'î  I 

That  you  must  prove." 
"  That  is  easy  enough." 
"Another  alibi?"  asked  Colonel  Gardner. 
"Another!"  said  Texar. 

«n^iJ?i'  ^^^""^  a  movement  of  voices  amongst  the 
the  ace'^^^^^^^  of  doubt  that  was  not  in  favour  of 


198  TÈXAB^S  REViENGi. 

Texar,"  said  the  colonel,  if  you  plead  another  alibi, 
can  you  prove  it?" 

"  Easily,  for  I  have  only  to  ask  you  a  question. 

"What  is  that?"  ,    ^  -,  x 

"  Were  you  not  in  command  of  the  troops  landed  to 
capture  Fernandina  and  Fort  Clinch?" 

i(  Yes." 

"  You  remember  the  train  for  Cedar  Keys  that  was 
attacked  by  the  Ottawa  on  the  bridge  between  Amelia 
Island  and  the  mainland?" 

"Yes."  _/ 

"  Well,  the  rear  carriage  was  knocked  off  and  stopped 
on  the  bridge,  and  a  detachment  of  Federal  troops  cap- 
tured the  fugitives,  and  the  prisoners  had  their  names 
taken,  and  did  not  receive  their  liberty  for  forty-eight 
hours  afterwards/' 

"  I  know  that." 

"  Well,  I  was  one  of  those  prisoners." 

"You?" 

"Yes,  I!" 

A  fresh  murmur  still  more  unfavourable  to  the  accused 

greeted  this  declaration. 

"  Then,"  continued  Texar,  "as  these  prisoners  were  m 
your  custody  from  the  2nd  to  the  4th  of  March,  and  the 
attack  on  this  plantation  took  place  on  the  night  of  the 
'  3rd  of  March,  it  is  simply  impossible  that  I  could  have 
been  ,  at  Marine  Créek.  Alice  Stannard  co\ild  not  have 
heard  Zeruiah  shout  my  name.  She  could  not  have  seen 
me  in  the  boat,  for  I  was  then  a  Federal  prisoner." 

"  That  is  false!"  exclaimed  James  Burbank.  "  It  can-^ 
not  be!" 

"  I  swear  I  saw  that  man,"  said  Alice,  and  I  recog- 
nized him  there  as  I  do  now." 

"  Look  at  the  papers!"  said  Texar. 

Colonel  Gardner  searched  among  the  papers  that  had 
been  sent  to  Commodore  Dupont  after  the  capture  of 
Fernandina,  and  in  the  list  of  prisoners  there  appeared 
the  name  of  Texar,  with  his  description. 

There  could  be  iio  room  for  further  doubt.  The 
Spaniard  was  innocent  of  the  abduction.  Miss  Stannard 
must  have  been  mistaken.  He  could  not  have  been  at 
Marine  Creek.   His  absence  from  Jacksonville  for  forty- 


lÀëT  WOËDS  Àîfr>  A  LAST  SiGH. 


19Ô 


eight  hours  was  fully  accounted  for;  he  was  then  a 
prisoner  on  one  of  the  gunboats.  And,  again,  an  indis- 
putable alibi,  proved  by  official  evidence,  had  come  to 
clear  hirii  of  the  charge. 

James  Burbank,  Gilbert,  Mars,  and  Miss  Stannard 
were  overwhelmed  at  the  result.  Texar  had  again 
escaped  them,  and  with  them  all  chance  had  gone  of 
ascertaining  what  bad  become  of  Dy  and  Zermah. 

The  decision  of  the  court-martial  could  not  be  in  doubt 
for  an  instant.  Texar  was  discharged,  and  walked 
out  of  the  room  amid  the  enthusiastic  cheers  of  his 
friends. 

Before  night  he  had  left  St.  Augustine,  and  no  one 
knew  to  what  part  of  Florida  he  had  gone  to  resume  his 
mysterious  life  of  adventure. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

LAST  WORDS  AîfD  A  LAST  SIGH: 

The  same  day,  the  17th  of  March,  James  and  Gilbert 
Burbank,  Mr.  Stannard  and  his  daughter,  and  Zermah's 
husband  returned  to  Camdless  bay. 

They  could  not  hide  the  truth  from  Mrs.  Burbank. 
The  unfortunate  mother  received  a  fresh  blow  which,  in, 
the  weak  state  she  was,  might  prove  fatal.  i 

The  last  attempt  to  discover  the  Jute  of  her  child  had 
failed.  Texar  had  refused  to  answer.  And  how  could  he 
be  obliged  to  do  so  when  he  asserted  that  he  was  not  the 
author  of  the  abduction  ?  By  an  alibi  more  unintelligible 
than  those  that  had  preceded  it,  he  h«d  proved  that  he 
was  not  at  Marine  Creek  when  the  crime  took  place. 
Had  he  been  found  guilty,  they  could  have  given  him  his 
choice  between  suffering  the  consequences  or  revealing  the 
whereabouts  of  his  victims. 

^  'J But  if  it. was  not  Texar,"  asked  Gilbert,  "who  was 
it?" 

"It  must  have  been  some  of  his  people,"  said  Mr. 
Stannard. 


2ÔÔ  texae's  RËVËIÎGÎÎ. 

'^That  is  the  only  explanation,"  said  Edward  Carrol. 

"  No,  father,  no,  Mr.  Carrol!"  said  Alice.  "  Texar  was 
in  the  boat.  I  saw  him.  1  recognized  him  when  Zermah 
shouted  his  name!    I  saw  him!    I  saw  him!" 

What  could  be  the  answer  to  this?  Alice  adhered  to 
her  statement  that  it  was  impossible  for  her  to  have  been 
mistaken.  And  if  she  was  not  mistaken,  how  could  the 
Spaniard  have  been  at  Fernandina,  in  one  of  Dupont's 
gunboats,  at  the  time? 

It  was  inexplicable.  But  if  the  others  had  any  doubt, 
Mars  had  none.  He  made  no  effort  to  comprehend  the 
incomprehensible.  All  he  did  was  to  make  up  his  mind 
to  follow  after  Texar  and  to  wring  from  him  the  secret, 
even  if  it  became  necessary  to  tortui'e  him. 

"You  are  right,  Mars,"  said  Gilbert.  " But  we  may 
have  to  do  without  the  .scoundrel  if  we  do  not  know  what 
has  become  of  him.  We  must  start  in  our  search  again  ! 
I  have  orders  to  remain  on  leave  as  long  as  is  needful,  and 
to-morrow — " 

**Yes,  Mr.  Gilbert,  to-morrow!" 

And  the  half-breed  went  to  his  room,  where  he  could 
give  free  vent  to  his  sorrow  and  his  anger. 

In  the  morning  Gilbert  and  Mars  completed  their  prep- 
arations for  departure.  They  were  going  to  devote  the 
day  to  a  careful  search  among  the  minor  creeks  and  small 
islets  on  both  banks  of  the  St.  John's  above  Camdless 
Bay. 

During  their  absence  James  Burbank  and  Edward  Car- 
rol would  prepare  for  a  more  extended  campaign.  Pro- 
visions, ammunition,  means  of  transport,  men — nothing 
would  be  neglected.  If  they  had  to  go  to  the  wild  regions 
of  Lower  Florida,  to  the  southern  marshes,  and  through 
the  Everglades,  they  would  go.  That  Texar  had  left 
Florida  was  impossible.  To  the  north  he  would  have 
found  the  Federal  troops  on  the  Georgian  frontier.  By 
sea  he  would  have  to  make  for  the  Bahamas,  and  Com- 
modore Dupont's  flotilla  had  closed  all  the  passes.  He 
must  be  in  Florida,  hidden  where  his  victims  had  boeu 
hidden  for  a  fortnight,  and  the  expedition  would  seek  for 
his  traces  over  the  whole  territory. 

There  was  peace  at  Jacksonville.  The  old  magistrates 
had  resumed  their  position  in  the  municipality.  There 


LAST  WOEDS  AND  A  LAST  SIGH.  201 

were  no  more  citizens  in  prison  for  their  opinions.  Tex- 
ar's  partisans  had  all  fleC 

The  war  continned  in  the  central  states  much  to  the 
advantage  of  the  Federals.    On  the  18th  and  19th  the 
fiist  division  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  landed  at  Fort! 
ress  Monroe.    On  the  22nd  the  second  division  prepared 
to  leave  Alexandria  for  the  same  destination.    In  spite  of 
the  military  genius  of  the  old  professor  of  chemistry 
f^T'^^u'^^''"''.'}'  Southerners  were  beaten  at  KernI: 
wWh  „i    """^  was  thus  no  rising  to  be  feared  in  Florida, 
which  always  remained  somewhat  indifferent  to  the  heate. 
passions  of  North  and  South. 

th  gradually  came  back:  After 

the  capture  of  Jacksonville,  the  orders  of  Texar  and  his 
Committee  relative  to  the  expulsion  of  the  freed  men 

of  the  blacks  had  returned,  and  were  bu..y  rebuilding  the 
barracoons,  while  many  were  at  work  clearing  the  rufns  of 

ct^r  P  ''"^  "^TT^^'-  ■  '3"-^<'ti«°  of  Edward 

oariol,  Ferry  and  the  assistant  overseers  were  very  busy 

fn^i;;.  ''^"'^        '^''s  ''«^oted  to  the  search 

îeredtn'iheir  ^X""""'  ^"«^  - 

Whei-e  was  the  expedition  to  so?  There  was  mnoh 
=^ï;|:^^'iT,„e  --^Vd^r  sta-n^ 

plantation  accompanied  them.  It  was  necessSy  to  act  as 
secretly  as  possib  e,  so  as  not  to  awake  the  suspicion  of 
the  spies  who  might  be  watching  Oastle  House.^ 

Uilbert  and  Mars  were  coasting  along  the  left  bank 
by  the^w/h  "f-T'  '""^  floatingilands  detaS' 

dfseoyery^        '        "  '■"^  "°  «f 

m^fh*%*t''t-1"^S!°l.*^''"'^''""  t"^"  "^«r  "  almost  a 
maish.  At  high  water  the  stream  overflows  the  low  banks 

the  St'jo"hn'^"/t-*''^  that  theebb  is  enough  to  reduce 
tiie  &t.  Johns  to  its  norma  level.  The  rilht  hsiik-  ic 
higher;  the  fields  of  maize  are  above  the  level  of  the  perl! 


202 


texae's  be  venge. 


odical  floods,  which  prevent  any  tillage  being  attempted. 
It  might  even  be  called  a  ridge,  along  which  rise  tlie  few 
houses  of  Mandarin;  and  the  ridge  ends  in  a  cape  project- 
ing into  the  stream. 

Below  numerous  islands  occupy  the  bend  of  the  river, 
and,  reflecting  the  white  canopies  of  their  magnificent 
magnolia-trees,  the  river  divided  into  these  channels  runs 
in  or  out  with  the  tide. 

After  examining  the  western  arm,  Gilbert  and  Mars 
were  making  their  way  along  the  main  bank;  they  were 
assuring  themselves  that  no  creek  opened  up  beneath  the 
branches  of  the  tulip-trees.  Up  to  the  present  they  had 
seen  nothing  but  the  wide  marshes  of  the  lower  river,  val- 
leys bristling  with  tree-ferns  and  liquidambars,  whose 
early  blossoms,  mingling  with  the  garlands  of  serpentarias 
and  aristolochias,  impregnated  the  air  with  their  pene- 
trating perfumes.  But  the  water  was  of  no  depth;  it  was 
running  off  in  tiny  streams,  and  the  ebb  would  soon  leave 
the  ground  quite  dry.  Among  the  streams  were  a  few 
huts,  which  did  not  seem  to  have  been  recently  occupied, 
although  it  seemed  as  though  a  good  many  animals  had 
made  it  their  home.  There  were  dogs  barking,  and  cats 
mewing,  and  frogs  croaking,  and  snakes  hissing,  but 
there  were  neither  dogs  nor  cats,  nor  frogs  nor  snakes, 
for  the  cries  were  the  call  of  the  cat- bird,  a  sort  of  thrush 
with  a  black  head  and  orange  throat. 

It  was  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  boat 
was  alongside  a  thick  clump  of  reeds,  when  a  powerful 
stroke  of  the  gaff  from  Mars  cleared  away  a  heap  of  ver- 
dure that  had  seemed  to  be  impenetrable.  Beyond  was  a 
sort  of  backwater  some  half-acre  in  extent,  where  the 
sun  never  penetrated  through  the  dome  of  tulip-trees. 

^'I  did  not  know  of  this  pond,"  said  Mars,  rising  so  as 
to  look  round  the  banks. 

''Let  us  explore  it  then,"  said  Gilbert.  *'It  ought  to 
communicate  with  that  row  of  lagoons,  which  may  be  fed 
by  some  creek  up  which  we  may  find  our  way." 

"That  is  so,"  said  Mars,  "and  I  see  an  opening  over 
there  to  the  north-west." 

"Do  you  know  where  we  are?" 

"  Not  exactly,  unless  this  is  what  they  call  Black  Creek; 
but  I  thought,  like  everybody  else,  that  it  was  impossible 


LAST  WORDS  AST)  A  LAST  SIGH.  203 

to  get  into  it,  and  that  it  had  no  communication  with  the 
St.  John's/' 

''Had  there  not  used  to  be  a  blockhouse  here,  to  keep 
the  Seminoles  in  check?" 

''Somewhere,  yes.    But  that  was  years  ago,  and  the 
entrance  to  the  creek  is  shut  and  the  fortress  abandoned 
I  have  never  been  there,  but  it  is  all  in  ruins." 

"  Let  us  get  there,"  said  Gilbert. 

"  We'll  try/'  said  Mars,  "  although  it  will  be  difficult 
to  do  so.  The  water  will  soon  be  off,  and  the  marsh  will 
not  give  very  good  footing." 

*'  Well,  if  there  is  not  enough  water,  we'll  stop  in  the 
boat."  ^ 

"We  must  not  lose  anytime;  it  is  three  o'clock,  and 
the  night  soon  makes  under  these  trees." 

It  was  indeed  Black  Creek  into  which,  by  a  lucky  stroke 
of  the  boat-hook,  Gilbert  and  Mars  had  found  an  eutrance 
The  lagoon  was,  as  we  know,  only  practicable  for  light 
skiffs  such  as  that  used  by  Squambo  when  he  and  his 
master  ventured  on  the  St.  John's.  To  reach  the  block- 
house in  the  middle  of  the  creek,  a  knowledge  of  the 
thousand  twists  and  turns  was  necessary,  and  for  many 
years  no  one  had  ventured  to  attempt  such  a  thing.  The 
existence  of  the  fortress  had  dropped  out  of  recollection 
and  hence  its  security  for  the  strange  malignant  person- 
age who  had  made  it  his  home. 

To  steer  up  the  labyrinth  required  the  thread  of  Ari- 
adne, for  it  was  always  in  darkness,  even  when  the  sun 
was  on  the  meridian.  Without  the  thread,  chance  alone 
could  reveal  the  central  island;  and  it  was  to  chance 
that  Gilbert  and  Mars  had  to  trust.  When  they  were  out 
of  the  first  pond  they  entered  a  series  of  channels,  and 
pa<ldled  on,  urged  by  some  secret  presentiment.  As  they 
were  going  to  explore  the  whole  country,  it  would  never 
do  to  leave  this  lagoon  unknown. 

In  about  half  an  hour  the  boat  had  gone  a  mile  More 
than  once  some  bank  had  blocked  the  way,  and  they  had 
had  to  paddle  back  and  try  another  channel.  Strong  as 
he  was,  the  half-breed  felt  that  he  wanted  a  rest  after  his 
efforts.  But  he  would  not  stop  until  he  had  reached  a 
larger  island  than  the  rest,  where  a  few  rays  of  the  sun 
found  their  way  through  the  trees. 


204 


texar's  revenge. 


"  That  is  queer,"  said  he. 

What  is  the  matter  ?"  asked  Gilbert. 

There  are  signs  of  cultivation  on  that  island." 
Soon  they  landed  on  a  less  marshy  bank  than  most  of 
the  others. 

Mars  was  not  mistaken.  There  were  traces  of  culture. 
A  few  yams  were  visible  here  and  there;  there  were  four 
or  five  furrows  in  the  soil;  a  pick  was  sticking  in  the 
ground. 

"  The  creek  is  inhabited  !"  said  Grilbert. 

"It  looks  like  it.  At  any  rate,  it  is  known  to  some 
backwoodsmen  or  Indians  who  grow  vegetables."  ; 

"  Then  they  may  have  built  houses,  cabins—" 

"  If  there  is  one  to  be  found  we  shall  find  it."  . 

It  was  of  great  interest  to  discover  what  sort  of  people 
lived  at  Black  Creek.  Were  they  hunters  from  the  lower 
country,  or  were  they  Seminoles,  who  still  live  in  the 
marshy  parts  of  Florida  ? 

Without  thinking  of  returning,  Gilbert  and  Mars  got 
back  into  the  boat,  and  followed  up  the  curves  of  the 
creek,  peering  into  the  thick  of  the  bushes  in  every  direc- 
tion. Sometimes  they  thought  they  saw  a  house,  but  it 
was  only  a  curtain  of  verdure  stretching  from  tree  to  tree. 
Sometimes  they  thought  a  man  was  looking  at  them,  but 
it  was  only  a  twisted  root  with  an  outline  in  the  shape  of  a 
human  figure.  Perhaps  what  was  hidden  from  their  eyes 
would  reveal  itself  to  their  ears?  The  least  noise  in  this 
deserted  place  would  reveal  a  man's  presence. 

Half  an  hour  after  their  first  halt  they  reached  the  central 
*  island.  The  blockhouse  was  so  completely  hidden  in  the 
trees  that  nothing  could  be  seen  of  it.  It  seemed  as  though 
the  creek  ended,  and  that  further  passage  was  imprac- 
ticable. 

"  I  do  not  think  we  can  go  further,"  said  Mars;  "  there 
is  no  water." 

But,"  said  the  officer,  ''we  cannot  have  been  wrong 
about  that  cultivated  patch.  People  come  to  this  creek. 
They  may  have  been  here  recently.  Perhaps  they  are 
here  now." 

''  Perhaps;  but  we  must  make  the  best  of  the  daylight 
to  get  back  to  the  St.  John's.  Night  is  coming  on.  The 
darkness  will  soon  be  thick,  and  how  can  we  then  make 


I-^ST  WOEDS  AND  A  LAST  SIGH.  205 

out  the  way  ?  1  think  we  had  better  return  and  come 
back  first  thing  to-morrow  morning.  Let  us  go  back,  as 
usual,  to  Castle  House.  We  can  tell  them  what  we  have 
seen,  and  prepare  to  explore  Black  Creek  with  better 
cnance  of  success — " 

"  Yes;  that  is  best.    But  before  we  go  I  should  like— 
(xilbert  was  standing  motionless,  taking  a  last  look  under 
tJie  trees,  and  he  was  about  to  give  the  order  to  put  off 
when  he  stopped  Mars  by  a  gesture. 
The  half-breed  stood  up  and  listened. 
A  cry,  or  rather  a  sort  of  groan,  was  heard  which  could 
not  be  confounded  with  that  of  a  beast  of  the  forest.  It 
was  a  cry  of  despair  and  lamentation,  the  appeal  of  a 
human  being  m  great  pain,  the  last  appeal  of  a  voice 
about  to  be  silent  forever. 

"That  is  a  manP^  said  Gilbert.     -He  wants  help! 
Perhaps  he  is  dying. ^ 
"Yes,-  said  Mars.    "We  must  go  to  him.    We  must 
find  out  who  he  is.    Jump  ashoi^ 

This  was  done  in  a  moment.  The  painter  was  hitched 
on  to  a  stump,  and  they  were  up  the  bank  and  under  the 
trees  and  looking  at  the  footprints  of  men  as  revealed  bv 
the  last  rays  of  the  sun.  They  followed  these  up.  ml 
and  then  they  stopped  and  listened.  Could  they  hear  the 
noise?  They  listened  again.  They  heard  it  close  by,  very 
near  them  now;  the  darkness  was  growing  deeper,  but 
they  would  reach  the  spot  from  which  the  sounds  caiîie 

buddenly  a  more  doleful  cry  was  heard.  There  was  no 
mistake  about  the  direction.  In  a  few  steps  Gilbert  and 
Mars  were  through  a  thicket  and  in  the  presence  of  a  man 
stretched  on  the  ground  near  a  palisade. 

Stabbed  in  the  chest,  the  blood  was  flowing  from  him 
and  formed  a  pool  around.    The  last  breath  was  on  his 
lips.    He  had  but  a  few  moments  to  live. 

Gilbert  and  Mars  stooped  over  him.     He  opened  his 
eyes  and  vainly  tried  to  answer  the  questions  put  to  him 

"We  must  see  this  man!"  said  Gilbert.  "Get  a  torch- 
set  a  knot  on  fijre!"  * 
Mars  had  already  snapped  off  a  resinous  bough  from  one 
of  the  trees  that  grew  in  such  numbers  on  the  island.  He 
lighted  It  with  a  match,  and  its  smoky  flame  illuminated 
the  gloom,  ^ 


206 


texar's  eevenge. 


Gilbert  knelt  near  tlie  dying  man.  He  was  a  negro,  a 
slave,  and  still  young.  His  shirt  lay  open  and  showed  the 
gash  made  by  the  knife.  The  wound  was  mortal,  for  the 
lung  was  pierced. 

Who  are  you  ?   Who  are  you  ?'  asked  Gilbert. 

JsTo  reply. 

''Who  stabbed  you?" 

The  slave  could  not  utter  a  word. 

Mars  swung  round  the  torch  to  recognize  the  place  where 
the  murder  had  been  committsd. 

'  He  then  saw  the  palisado,  and  through  the  open  door 
caught  sight  of  the  dim  outline  of  the  blockhouse. 
''The  fortress r  he  exclaimed. 

And  leaving  his  master  near  the  dying  slave,  he  rushed 
through  the  door. 

In  an  instant  he  had  entered  the  blockhouse,  been  in  the 
central  redoubt,  and  into  all  the  rooms.  In  one  he  found 
the  remains  of  a  fire.  ^The  fortress  had  therefore  been 
recently  occupied;  but  by  whom  ?  Floridans  or  Seminoles? 
That  must  be  ascertained  immediately,  and  from  the 
wounded  man.  Who  were  his  murderers?  They  had  fled 
within  the  last  hour  or  so. 

Mars  ran  out  of  the  blockhouse  and  round  the  palisade 
in  the  enclosure.  But  no  one  did  he  find.  If  he  and 
Gilbert  had  come  earlier  in  the  day,  they  might  have  dis- 
covered the  inhabitants  of  this  fortress,  but  now  they  wexe 
too  late. 

The  half-breed  returned  to  his  master,  and  told  him  they 
were  at  the  blockhouse  of  Black  Creek. 
"  Can  the  man  speak  ?"  he  asked. 

"No;  he  has  lost  consciousness,  and  I  don't  think  he 
,  will  regain  it." 

"Try  and  make  him,"  said  Mars.  "There  is  a  secret 
here  we  must  know,  and  no  one  can  tell  us  when  that  un- 
fortunate man  is  dead." 

"  Yes!  Let  us  take  him  into  the  blockhouse.  He  may 
come  to  himself  there.    We  cannot  let  him  die  out  here.  ' 

"You  hold  the  torch,  Mr.  Gilbert;  I  can  carry  him." 

Gilbert  held  the  burning  bough.  The  half-breed  lifted 
the  inert  body  in  his  arms,  mounted  the  steps  of  the 
postern,  entered  the  embrasure,  and  laid  down  his  burden 
jn  one  of  the  .rooms  of  the  redoubt. 


LAST  WORDS  AND  A  LA&T  SIGH.  207 

The  dying  man  was  laid  on  a  bed  of  herbs,  and  Mars  put 
his  flask  to  his  mouth. 

The  héart  still  beat  but  feebly,  and  at  lohg  intervals. 
Life  was  failing.  Would  his  secret  escape  him  with  his 
last  sigh  ?^ 

The  few  drops  of  brandy  seemed  to  give  him  new  life. 
His  eyes  opened.  He  fixed  them  on  Mars  and  Gilbert, 
and  strove  to  fight  with  death.  He  would  speak!  Some 
vague  sounds  escaped  from  his  lips— a  name,  perhaps! 

''Speak!    Speak!''  said  Mars. 

The  excitement  of  the  half-breed  was  truly  inexplicable/ 
It  seemed  as  though  the  task  to  which  he  had  devoted  hiî» 
life  depended  on  the  last  words  of  this  dying  man. 

The  young  slave  in  vain  endeavoured  to  utter  a  word. 
He  had  not  the  strength. 

At  this  moment  Mars  noticed  a  slip  of  paper  in  his 
waistcoat  pocket. 

To  seize  this  paper,  open  it,  read  it  by  the  light  of  tht 
torch,  was  the  work  of  an  instant. 

There  were  a  few  words  on  it. 
Carried  off  by  Texar  from  Marine  Creek—taken  to 
the  Everglades — to  Camera]  Island — message  given  to  the 
young  slave — for  Mr.  Bur  bank.'' 

The  handwriting  Mars  knew  well. 

"Zermali!*'  he  exclaimed. 

At  this  name  the  dying  man  opened  his  eyes,  and  his 
head  fell  in  sign  of  affirmation. 

Gilbert  raised  him  a  little,  and  asked, ^ 

''Zermah?" 

"Yes." 

"AndDy  V 

"Yes." 

"Who  stabbed  you?" 
"  Texar." 

And  that  was  the  pcqr  slave's  last  word.    He  fell  back 
dead. 


i08 


TBXAR  S  KJfiVBNGB, 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

FROM  CAMDLESS  BAY  TO  LAKE  WASHII^GTOK. 

It  was  not  till  just  upon  midnight  that  Gilbert  and 
Mars  returned  to  Castle  House.  Great  had  been  their 
difficulty  in  getting  out  of  Black  Creek.  When  they  left 
the  blockhouse  night  had  begun  to  fall  in  the  valley  of 
the  St.  John's,  and  beneath  the  trees  of  the  lagoon  the 
darkness  was  complete. 

Mars  took  the  boat  back  among  the  shoals  and  islets, 
guided  by  a  sort  of  instinct,  without  which  he  would  never 
have  reached  the  river.  Twenty  times  and  more  had  he 
to  stop  before  a  barrier  he  could  not  pass,  and  return  by 
the  way  he  had  come  in  search  of  a  practicable  channel. 
He  had  to  light  resinous  pine-knots,  and  stick  them  in  the 
bow  of  the  boat,  so  as  to  throw  some  light  on  his  course. 
The  difficulty  was  greatest  where  he  had  to  find  the  only 
mouth  by  which  the  waters  joined  the  St.  John's.  The 
gap  in  the  reeds  by  which  they  had  entered  a  few  hours 
before  proved  unrecognizable;  but  luckily  the  tide  was 
ebbing,  and  the  boat  floated  out  with  the  stream.  Three 
hours  afterwards  they  were  at  Camdless  Bay. 

At  Castle  House  neither  James  Burbank  nor  his  people 
had  gone  to  bed.  They  were  waiting  anxiously  for  their 
long-delayed  return.  Gilbert  and  Mars  came  back  every 
night,  why  had  they  not  come  now  ?  Had  they  found  a 
clue  ? 

At  last  they  arrived^  and,  as  they  entered,  all  in  the 
room  rushed  towards  them. 

"  Well,  Gilt)ert  T'  said  James  Burbank. 

"  Father,  Alice  was  not  mistaken.  It  was  Texar  who 
carried  o:^  my  sister  and  Zermah.'* 

"You  have  the  proof 

"Readr 

And  Gilbert  held  out  the  scrap  of  paper  wift  the  fçw 
>for4§  i»  tlie  half-breed's  writing. 


FBOM  CAMDLESS  BAY  TO  LAKE  WAgamaTOK".  209 


"  Yes/'  continued  lie.  Doubt  is  no  longer  possible. 
It  was  the  Spaniard  !  And  he  took  or  caused  to  be  taken 
his  two  victims  to  the  blockhouse  at  Black  Creek,  There 
they  have  been  living  isolated  from  all.  A  poor  slave  to 
whom  Zermah  had  trusted  this  paper,  that  it  might  reach 
Castle  House,  and  from  whom  she  doubtless  learnt  that 
Texar  was  taking  them  to  Carneral  Island,  has  paid  with 
his  life  for  his  devotion.  We  found  him  dying,  stabbed 
by  Texar,  and  now  he  is  dead.  But  if  Dy  and  Zermah 
are  not  at  Black  Creek  we  know  at  least  where  they  have 
gone.  They  are  in  the  Everglades,  and  there  we  must 
find  them.    To-morrow  we  must  start.'' 

"We  are  ready,  Gilbert." 

"  Then  to-morrow  let  it  be." 

Hope  had  returned.  There  would  now  be  no  fruitless 
endeavours.  Mrs.  Burbank,  being  told  of  what  had  hap- 
pened, began  to  revive;  and  she  had  strength  enough  to 
rise  from  her  bed  and  kneel  and  thank  Heaven. 

According  to  Zermah,  it  was  Texar  in  person  who  had 
been  in  command  at  the  capture  at  Marine  Creek.  He  it 
really  was  whom  Alice  had  seen.  But  how  could  this  be 
reconciled  with  the  Spaniard's  alibi  ?  How  could  he  have 
been  a  Federal  prisoner  at  the  time  the  crime  was  com- 
mitted ?  Evidently  the  alibi  was  false  like  the  others. 
But  how  could  it  be  explained  ?  What  was  the  secret  of 
Texar's  ubiquity  ? 

It  mattered  little  after  all.  It  had  now  been  ascertained 
that  the  half-breed  and  child  had  been  taken  first  to  the 
blockhouse  at  Black  Creek,  and  that  now  they  had  gone 
to  Carneral  Island.  There  they  must  seek  for  them; 
there  they  must  take  Texar  by  surprise.  This  time 
nothing  must  hinder  them  from  visiting  him  with  the 
just  punishment  of  his  crimes  which  he  had  so  long 
deserved. 

And  there  was  not  a  day  to  lose.  From  Camdless  Bay 
to  the  Everglades  the  distance  was  considerable.  The 
voyage  would  take  many  days.  Fortunately  the  expedi- 
tion had  been  organized  carefully  and  was  ready. 

Carneral  Island  was  shown  by  the  maps  to  be  on  Lake 
Okee-cho-bee. 

The  Everglades  are  in  a  marshy  region  bordering  on 
Lake  Okee-cho-bee,  a  little  below  the  twenty-seventh 


parallel,  in  the  southern  part  of  Florida.  From  Jackson- 
ville to  the  lake  was  about  four  hundred  miles.  And  it 
was  a  rarely  visited  district;  in  fact,  at  this  epoch  it  was 
almost  unknown. 

If  the  St.  Johns's  had  been  navigable  to  its  source  the 
journey  would  not  have  been  a  difficult  one,  but  there  was 
every  chance  that  they  would  only  be  able  to  sail  up  it  for 
one  hundred  and  seven  miles;  that  is  to  Lake  deorge. 
Beyond  that  the  road  would  be  choked  with  islands  and 
shoals,  the  channel  might  even  sometimes  at  ebb  tide  be 
dry,  and  a  heavily-laden  boat  would  under  any  circam- 
stances  find  it  difficult  to  pass.  If  it  were  possible  to 
reach  Lake  Washington,  in  about  the  twenty-eighth  de- 
gree of  latitude,  the  end  would  be  near.  But  it  was  only 
wise  to  prepare  for  a  journey  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  across  an  almost  deserted  region,  where  there  were 
no  means  of  transport  and  no  likelihood  of  provision. 

On  the  20th  of  March  the  expedition  mustered  at  the 
landing-place.  James  Burbank  and  his  son  had  said 
good-bye  to  Mrs.  Barbank,  who  was  not  able  to  leave  her 
room.  Mr.  Stannard  and  his  daughter  and  the  assistant 
overseers  were  there,  and  Pyg  had  come  to  bid  farewell  to 
Mr.  Perry,  for  whom  he,  strange  to  say,  had  a  great  re- 
gard. He  remembered  the  lessons  he  had  received  as  to 
the  inconveniences  of  a  liberty  for  which  he  was  not  ready. 

The  expedition  consisted  of  James  Burbank  and  his 
brother-in-law,  now  cured  of  his  wound,  his  son,  Mr.  Perry 
the  overseer,  Mars,  and  a  dozen  negroes  chosen  from  the 
most  devoted  of  those  on  the  estate— in  all,  seventeen. 
Mars  knew  enough  of  the  St.  John's  to  serve  as  pilot  below 
as  well  as  above  Lake  George.  The  blacks  were  all  ex- 
perienced boatmen,  and,  when  the  current  or  the  wind 
failed,  could  handle  the  oars  to  good  purpose. 

The  boat,  one  of  the  largest  on  the  plantation,  would 
be  worked  under  sail  whenever  the  wind  was  favourable. 
She  carried  arms  and  ammunition  sufficient  for  James 
Burbank  and  his  companions  to  fear  nothing  from  either 
the  Seminole  bands  or  Texar's  companions. 

Gilbert  embraced  Alice,  and  James  Burbank  clasped 
her  to  his  arms  as  if  she  were  already  his  daughter. 
^  "  Father— Gilbert,"  she  said,    bring  back  to  us  little 
Pyl   Bring  me  back  my  sister." 


tiiOM  CAMDtESS  BAY         LÀKË  WASHlN^GtON.  211 

"Yes,  dearest  Alice,  yes!  we  will  bring  her  back. 
May  heaven  protect  us!" 

Mr.  Stannard  and  Alice  and  the  assistant  overseers 
and  Pyg  remained  at  the  landing-place  till  the  boat  put 
off.  They  signalled  their  last  adieux  as  before  the  north- 
east wind  and  served  by  the  flowing  tide  she  disappeared 
behind  the  little  point  at  Marine  Creek. 

It  was  about  six  o'clock  in  the  morning.  An  hour 
afterwards  the  boat  passed  the  village  of  Mandarin,  and 
it  was  nearly  ten  o'clock  when,  without  having  had  to 
take  to  the  oars,  she  was  off  Black  Creek. 

All  hearts  beat  as  they  ran  by  the  left  bank  of  the  river 
through  which  its  waters  flowed.  It  was  behind  those 
clumps  of  reeds  and  canes  and  mangroves  that  Dy  and 
Zermah  had  first  been  hid.  It  was  there  that  for  more 
than  a  fortnight  Texar  and  his  companions  had  so  closely 
concealed  them  that  all  trace  of  them  had  been  lost. 
Ten  times  had  James  Burbank  and  Stannard  and  Gilbert 
and  Mars  passed  by  that  lagoon  without  thinking  for  an 
instant  that  the  old  blockhouse  might  be  their  prison. 

This  time  there  was  no  reason  for  stopping.  Their 
search  took  them  now  hundreds  of  miles  to  the  south, 
and  the  boat  passed  Black  Creek  without  even  stopping. 

The  first  meal  was  taken  together.  The  boxes  con- 
tained twenty  days'  provisions,  and  there  were  a  number 
of  packages  ready  to  be  carried  when  the  journey  had  to 
be  continued  overland.  And  there  were  the  necessaries 
for  camping,  either  by  day  or  night,  in  the  thick  woods 
with  which  the  river-banks  are  clothed. 

At  eleven  o'clock,  when  the  tide  turned,  the  wind  re- 
mained favourable,  but  the  oars  had  to  be  taken  to  keep 
up  the  speed.  The  blacks  bent  cheerily  to  their  work, 
and  propelled  by  ten  vigorous  pairs  the  boat  rapidly  as- 
cended the  river. 

Mars  sat  silently  at  the  helm,  taking  the  boàt  without 
hesitation  through  the  channels  among  the  islands  and 
islets  with  which  the  river  is  dotted.  Where  the  stream 
was  weakest  he  took  his  way  without  hesitation.  Never 
did  he  enter  an  impracticable  channel;  never  did  he  risk 
grounding  on  any  of  the  shoals  which  the  ebb  would  soon 
leave  dry.  He  knew  the  river  up  to  Lake  George  as  well 
as  he  knew  it  below  Jacksonville,  and  he  piloted  the 


212 


texar's  revekge. 


boat  with  as  much,  certainty  as  he  had  piloted  Stevens's 
flotilla  over  the  bar. 

Hereabouts  the  St.  John's  was  deserted.  Since  the 
capture  of  Jacksonville  the' trading-boats  on  the  river  had 
been  stopped,  and  there  was  no  vessel  on  the  river  except 
for  the  use  of  the  troops  or  under  the  orders  of  Comman- 
dant Stevens.  Above  Picolata  even  these  would  probably 
have  disappeared. 

About  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  Picolata  was  reached. 
A  detachment  of  Northerners  occupied  the  pier.  The 
boat  was  hailed,  and  had  to  run  alongside.  Gilbert  Eur- 
obank made  himself  known  to  the  commanding  ofiScer, 
and  showing  the  pass  with  which  he  had  been  furnished 
by  Commandant  Stevens,  was  allowed  to  proceed. 

The  halt  lasted  but  a  minute  or  so.  The  tide  began  to 
turn,  the  oarsmen  stopped,  and  the  boat  under  sail  sped 
on  between  the  woods  that  fringed  the  stream.  On  the 
left  bank  the  forest  soon  ended  in  a  marsh.  On  the 
right,  the  forest  remained  thick  and  interminable,  and 
they  would  have  it  with  them  all  the  way  to  Lake 
George.  At  times  it  ran  back  a  little,  and  fields  of  rice 
and  mdigo  and  cotton  filled  up  the  stretches  in  front, 
and  bore  witness  to  the  fertility  of  the  Floridan  penin- 
suia. 

A  little  after  six  o'clock  a  bend  of  the  river  shut  ont 
the  view  of  the  red  tower  of  the  old  Spanish  fort,  which 
±or  a  century  and  more  had  been  abandoned. 

''Mars,''  asked  James  Burbank,  "you  are  not  afraid 
to  keep  to  the  river  during  the  night  .?^' 

ïJ'-^^'  f^C  ^^^^  answer  for  myself  aH 

•the  way  to  Lake  George.  Beyond  that  we  shaD  see.  We 
have  not  a  moment  to  lose,  and  as  long  as  the  tide  serves 
we  had  better  take  advantage  of  it.  I  think  we  might 
as  well  carry  on  night  and  day." 

There  was  no  occasion  to  regret  this  decision.  All 
night  the  boat  kept  on  her  way;  when  the  tide  failed  the 
oars  were  got  out  Neither  that  night  nor  the  following, 
nor  the  day  of  the  22nd  of  March,  nor  the  next  twelve 
hours,  were  marked  by  any  adventure.  The  upper  course 
ot  the  river  seemed  to  be  quite  deserted.  The  route  lay 
through  a  long  forest  of  ancient  cedars,  whose  leaé 
masses  again  and  again  came  close  to  the  bank  and  f ormea 


a  thick  bower  of   verduro     Villa  o-^cï  +1.^, 
Plantations  or  isolated  habUatioS    werTn'onl  "Thé 

opene/ou^^^^^^^^  flat,  and 

liiey  had  reached  the  lake  which  the  St  lahj,'^  f.o 

p^^fît^sf  -^'^^  w\l*hit°ty/: 

came^'to'^het  Lake  George,  which  I 

river."  ™  expedition  to  the  upper 

Jame1  BuAanl^'"'  '''"^  B-J?"  asked 

."^i,^??'*'*^''  ""'^6^'"  said  Hars. 
said  Kf      '  ^'^^  ^'"'^'^  to  Everglades," 

wf^rv:r»;rfo 

a  slow,  laborious  affair.    When  we  are  thrnniwl 
cannot  we  keeD  fn       wol^l      V        through  the  lake, 

" ill  try  it,  Mr.  Gilbert.'^ 
And  they  could  not  have  done  better. 
kpJrf rfr""^"^.^'        ^^^^^1^  ^0  take  to  the  land  To 

..mW„«t  tïïïdâu"  ûd'Jr  li'lh?*  ".'!:."• 


2J[4  TEXAR'S  EEVÈÎSrGïj. 

ous  snakes,  whose  hissings  could  be  even  heard  in  the 
boat,  and  whose  ravenous  enemies,  the  white  pehcans, 
rose  m  flocks  along  the  margin  of  the  lake. 

The  boat  slipped  along  rapidly  under  sail  with  the 
wind  from  the  north.  The  breeze  was  so  fresh  that  the 
oars  were  not  needed  throughout  the  day,  and  when 
evening  came  the  thirty  miles  which  Lake  George  meas- 
ures from  north  to  south  had  been  traversed  without 

iOxmt  six  o'clock  James  Burbank  and  his  men  had 
reached  the  lower  angle  by  which  the  St.  John's  enters 

the  lake.  i    i.    i.  i 

If  they  stopped— and  the  stoppage  was  only  to  take 
breath  for  half  an  hour  at  the  outside --it  was  because 
three  or  four  houses  formed  a  village  at  this  place. 
These  were  occupied  by  some  of  those  nomadic  Floridans 
who  devote  themselves  chiefly  to  hunting  and  fishing  at 
the  beginning  of  the  season.  At  Oarrol'a  suggestion  it 
seemed  opportune  to  ask  for  information  relative  to  the 
passage  of  Texar.  .  ^      t     -i^    .  tx. 

One  of  the  inhabitants  was  questioned.  During  the 
last  few  days  had  he  seen  a  boat  crossing  Lake  George 
towards  Lake  Washington;  a  boat  with  seven  or  Q}ght 
people,  one  a  woman  of  colour,  and  a  little  child  of  white 

^irth?  _      ^  T  1.  4. 

"Yes,"  said  the  man.    "Two  days  ago  I  saw  a  boat 

like  that." 

"  Did  it  stop  here  ?"  asked  Gilbert. 
"  No  !    It  kept  on  as  hard  as  it  could  go  to  the  upper 
I  distinctly  saw  a  woman  with  a  child  in  her 


river, 
arms. 


"  My  friends,"  said  Gilbert,  there  is  hope  for  us  !  We 
are  really  on  the  traces  of  Texar  !"  ,    -  , 

"  Yes,"  answered  James  Burbank,  "  he  is  only  forty- 
eight  hours  in  front  of  us;  and  if  we  can  keep  to  the  boat 
we  shall  gain  on  him."  ^„    -,  j 

"  Do  you  know  the  river  about  Lake  George  ?  asked 
Cîarrol.  ,  j  j 

"  Yes,  sir;  I  have  been  up  it  more  than  a  hundred 
miles."  , 
"  Do  you  think  it  is  navigable  for  a  boat  like  ours  t 
"  What  does  she  draw  ?" 


mOM  CAMDLÊSS  bait  to  LAKE  WASHlNGTOî^.  ^15 

About  three  feet/'  said  Mars, 
f .tl ^^'^  "  That  may  do.    If  you 

Lgton/'^  ^""^^  ^^^«^^ke  S- 

LaL^olS^^^^^  '^^^^  from 

Z  ^  hundred  and  fifty  miles." 

'^l hanks,  my  friend." 

water  tr^s^"  '''^'^  "^^^P  «II  the 

eTenmg  d^osed;  the  oars  were  got  out  and  pulled  with 

nigJittall  the  boat  had  made  many  miles  to  the  south 
There  was  no  need  to  stop,  as  they  eonld  sleep  on  Wd 

by  ffil":  'atl/^h'  ,  The jfghtwas  eno^gî^to^e; 
l7n„-  ^T-J  I  ^a^'s  ''as  in  front  with  a 

Z\lf^fn  ^''t'"^J  '""""^^"S  all  the  time,  and  orderW 
the  boat  to  starboard  or  port  as  occasion  required  hI 

off  withofreS*^  r'^.*^^'  r/'""  ^"^«h  time 

ott  without  effort.    About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning 

mUeshadbelT'  ^^^^-^  that  at  leasTfiS 

mues  ftad  been  rowed  daring  the  night 

It  the  river  continued  navigable  for  a  few  more  dav«L 

^Zed  XT^  '  '^r'''  ~s  would  be  muchlS 
proved  But  several  serious  difficulties  arose  durinir  the 
day.  On  account  of  the  windings  of  the  river  there  were 
37f  °f''*«f  Pr^^  «  it^  ~  where  the  acM 

avoitd  -f'  tl^at  had  to  be' 

avoided.    The  wide  sweeps  necessary  to  avoid  these  made 

«H tfTJ:  '^■J'''''^  "«^«î  caused  delay    The  ^nd 

although  rt  did  not  shift,  was  brought  round  so  bv  the 

Td  bft  fhe  W  'Ï'T  aîw5«  be 

St^Tol.n'^rViî''*'*'''''  ^ere  met  with  peculiar  to  the 


21b  ïaXAE^S  BfiVÈNGÊ. 

such  vegetable  masses,  as  withdrawal  would  not  be  easy, 
and  so  Mars  did  his  best  to  avoid  them. 

On  the  river-banks  the  thick  forest  again  had  appeared. 
But  now  there  were  none  of  those  innumerable  cedars  with 
their  roots  bathed  by  the  river.  There  were,  in  their  stead, 
quantities  of  pines,  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  belong- 
inff  to  the  southern  species,  which  found  a  favourable  soil 
amid  the  inundated  tracts  known  as  "barrens.''  The 
mould  there  has  a  peculiar  elasticity,  so  much  so  as  to 
throw  a  man  off  his  balance  should  he  attempt  to  walk 
over  it.  Fortunately  James  Burbank's  men  did  not 
make  the  experiment. 

The  St.  John's  continued  to  carry  them  through  the 
regions  of  Lower  Florida.  The  day  passed  without  ad- 
venture. So  did  the  night.  The  river  continued  to  be 
completely  deserted.  Not  a  boat  appeared  on  the  waters. 
In  this  there  was  nothing  to  complain  of.  Better  to  find 
nobody  in  this  distant  country  than  to  risk  disaster,  for 
the  backwoodsmen  and  professional  hunters  of  these  parts 
are  people  to  be  treated  with  suspicion. 

And  there  were  the  militia  from  Jacksonville  or  bt. 
Augustine,  whom  Dupont  and  Stevens  had  driven  to  the 
south,  who  might  be  met  with,  and  the  meeting  would 
have  been  still  more  undesirable.  Among  them  iexar 
certainly  had  many  partisans,  who  might  attempt  to 
avenge  him  on  James  and  Gilbert  Burbank.  It  was  the 
object  of  the  expedition  to  avoid  fighting  with  every  one 
except  the  Spaniard,  and  only  to  fight  with  him  should 
he  attempt  to  carry  off  his  prisoners  by  force.  ^ 

Fortunately,  James  Burbank  was  so  well  served  by  cir- 
cumstances that  on  the  evening  of  the  25th  of  March  he 
reached  Lake  Washington.  There  the  narrowness  and 
shallowness  of  the  river  brought  the  boat  to  a  stop.  1  wo- 
thirds  of  the  distance  had,  however,  been  sailed  or  rowed, 
and  James  Burbank  was  now  only  a  hundred  and  forty 
miles  from  the  Everglades. 


THE  GBEAT  CYPBESS  POBEST. 


21? 


CHAPTER  IX. 


THE  GREAT  CYPRESS  FOREST. 


Lake  WASHiNGTOîf  is  about  a  dozen  miles  lonff.  It  is 
Plnni  Tf''^  important  lakes  in  this  part  of  southern 
wlTwi.  ^'^^*r  ^^^^^^t^e^P'  and  they  are  crowded 
with  bushes  and  branches  brought  down  bv  the  sfrp^jm 
from  the  floating  fields,  where  the  snaLs  Ve  in  such 
numbers  as  even  to  render  the  navigation  dangerous 
Like  Its  banks,  its  surface  is  almost  deserted,  and  feldom 
indeed  is  it  that  a  boat  from  the  St.  John's  ventures  s^ 

At  the  southern  end  of  the  lake  the  river  resumes  its 
course  bending  more  towards  the  middle  of  theTnin! 

l^^'  t  ^^^'^  ^l"^^  ^^^^  ^^^^  a  shallow  brook,  its 
souice  being  some  thirty  miles  further  south,  between  the 
twenty-eighth  and  twenty^seventh  degrees  of  latitude. 

Below  Lake  Washington  the  St.  John's  is  not  navigable 
Much  to  the  regret  of  James  Burbank,  the  stream  h^d  to 
bybandoned  and  the  land-road  taken  through  a  ver? 

r"""".*'^'-?!^^!?  ^  ^ars^^  through 

endless  forests  with  the  ground  so  cut  up  with  rivulfts 
and  quagmires  as  to  be  almost  impassable. 

Ihe  expedition  landed.  The  weapons  and  bales  of 
provisions  were  divided  amongst  the  blacks.  Every  one 
knew  his  place  and  there  would  be  no  cause  for  delay. 
All  had  been  thought  out  in  advance,  and  when  a  halt 
wus  called  the  camp  could  be  pitched  in  a  few  minutes 

(xUbert  and  Mars  occupied  themselves  in  hiding  the 
boat,  so  that  it  might  escape  the  observation  of  any  Sem- 
moles  or  Floridans  who  might  pass  that  way.  Under 
the  drooping  branches  of  the  trees  by  the  bank,  and 
among  the  gigantic  reeds,  it  was  easy  to  find  a  fitting 
place  of  concealment.  **  uttm^ 

Had^o  finf  T  ^'^^^'^  ^^^^^  ^a^e  been 

glad  to  fin^—th^t  whiQh  Ijad  brought  Dy  and  ^ermah  W 


218 


texar's  revenge. 


Lake  Washington.  Evidently  Texar  must  have  aban- 
doned it  somewhere  in  the  neighbourhood.  What  James 
Burbank  had  been  obliged  to  do  the  Spaniard  must  have 
done.  And  for  some  hours  in  the  afternoon  a  search  for 
this  boat  was  made,  in  order  to  procure  positive  proof 
th^t  Texar  had  reached  Lake  Washington. 

The  search  was  in  vain.  The  boat  could  not  be  found. 
Perhaps  the  Spaniard  had  destroyed  it,  thinking  it  would 
be  of  no  further  use  to  him. 

How  painful  must  the  journey  now  have  become!  There 
was  no  longer  the  river  to  save  the  woman  and  child 
from  fatigue.  Dy,  carried  in  Zermah's  arms,  forced  to 
follow  the  men  who  were  used  to  such  marches  through 
this  difficult  country;  the  half-breed  subject  to  insults 
and  violence,  and  beaten  to  hasten  her  steps,  and  falling 
often  to  save  the  child  when  thinking  nothing  of  herself 
^all  this  was  pictured  to  the  minds  of  those  in  pursuit. 
As  Mars  thought  of  all  this  he  grew  pale  with  anger,  and 
muttered  to  himself— 

"I  will  kill  Texar!" 

Would  he  were  at  Carneral  Island  face  to  face  with  the 
villain  whose  abominable  machinations  had  caused  such 
suffering  to  the  Burbanks,  and  injured  him  more  deeply 
by  taking  away  Zermah  his  wife! 

The  camp  was  formed  at  the  extremity  of  a  small  cape 
projecting  northwards  into  the  lake.  It  had  not  been 
thought  wise  to  risk  travelling  in  the  forest  during  the 
night,  and  it  was  decided  to  wait  for  the  dawn  before  the 
start  was  made.  At  four  o'clock  the  signal  to  move  was 
given.  The  bales  and  packages  were  distributed  amongst 
half  the  crew,  it  being  intended  to  work  in  relays.  All, 
masters  and  men,  were  armed  with  Minie  rifles,  loaded 
with  a  bullet  and  four  buckshot,  and  Colt  revolvers,  which 
came  into  general  use  during  the  war  of  Secession. 

Armed  in  this  way  they  were  equal  to  attacking  Texar 
even  at  the  head  of  sixty  of  his  men.  ] 

It  had  been  decided  to  keep  to  the  course  of  the  river 
as  closely  as  possible.  This  would  take  them  to  the  .south 
in  the  direction  of  Lake  Okee-cho-bee.  It  was  a  thread 
through  the  forest  labyrinth,  and  was  followed  easily 
enough.  Along  the  right  bank  was  a  sort  of  footpath,  a 
towing-path,  m  fact,  used  by  those  who  ho-d  dragged  their 


THE  GREAT  CYPRESS  FOREST. 


219 


light  canoes  up  stream.  Gilbert  and  Mars  went  first; 
James  Burbank  and  Edward  Carrol  brought  up  the  rear; 
Perry  was  in  the  middle,  and  every  hour  saw  that  the  loads 
were  changed.  Before  the  start  a  rapid  breakfast  had 
been  taken,  a  stoppage  was  to  be  made  at  noon  for  dinner, 
and  another  at  six  o'clock  for  supper  and  camping,  if 
matters  did  not  look  promising  for  a  night-march.  That 
was  the  programme,  and  it  was  punctually  adhered  to. 

At  first  the  road  lay  along  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake 
Washington,  low  and  flat,  and  almost  on  the  move.  Then 
the  forest  came  on,  but  of  slight  extent  compared  to  what 
it  was  to  be.  This  forest  was  chiefly  composed  of  thickets 
of  logwood  with  small  leaves  and  yellow  clusters,  and  with 
the  brownish  heart-wood  so  well-known  to  dyers;  then 
there  were  Mexican  elms,  guazumas  with  white  bouquets, 
used  in  so  many  ways,  and  with  a  shade  giving,  it  is  said' 
a  most  obstinate  cold.  Dotted  about  were  a  few  groups 
of  cinchonas,  here  mere  shrubs  instead  of  magnificent 
trees  as  in  Peru.  Evei-ywhere  rose  large  masses  of  bright- 
coloured  plants,  such  as  gentians,  amaryllides,  and  ascle- 
pias;  all  plants  and  flowers  yellow  or  white  in  Europe  be- 
ing here  of  different  shades  of  red  and  purple. 

Towards  evening  the  thickets  disappeared,  to  give 
place  to  the  great  cypress  forest,  which  extends  to  the 
Everglades. 

During  the  day  they  had  walked  twenty  miles.  Gilbert 
dsked  of  the  negroes  if  they  were  tired. 

We  are  ready  to  go  on,  sir,"  said  one  of  them,  an- 
swering for  the  rest. 

*'Arewe  not  likely  to  go  astray  during  the  night.^'' 
asked  Edward  Carrol. 

"ISTo,"  said  Mars.  We  have  only  got  to  keep  to  tke 
^river.^' 

"  And  the  night  is  clear,"  said  the  young  ofiBcer,  the 
sky  is  cloudless;  the  moon  will  rise  at  nine  and  last  till 
day.  Besides,  the  foliage  of  the  cypresses  is  not  very 
thick,  and  the  darkness  is  not  as  great  as  in  any  other 
forest." 

So  they  made  a  fresh  start.  The  next  morning,  after 
travelling  part  of  the  night,  they  stopped  to  breakfast  at 
the  foot  of  one  of  those  huge  cypres?-trees  which  can  be 
pounted  in  millions  in  this  region  of  Florida, 


220  texar's  revenge. 

He  who  has  not  explored  these  natural  marvels  can 
hardly  figure  them  to  himself.  Imagine  a  stretch  of  green 
more  than  a  hundred  feet  above  the  river,  with  tree-trunks 
straight  as  towers,  on  whose  tops  it  seems  almost  possible 
to  walk.  Below  the  ground  is  wet  and  marshy;  the  water 
in  pools  on  the  impermeable  soil,  round  which  and  m 
which  are  crowds  of  frogs  and  toads,  and  lizards  and 
<-corpions,  and  spiders,  turtles,  snakes,  and  aquatic  birds, 
^bove  the  pools  flash,  like  shooting  stars,  bright- 
»lumaged  orioles;  in  the  trees  leap  squirrels  and  gather 
|>arrots,  who  fill  the  forest  with  their  noisy  screeches.  A 
curious  country  it  is,  and  difficult  to  penetrate.  The 
ground  must  be  carefully  studied,  for  a  foot-passenger 
may  sink  to  his  armpits  in  the  many  quagmires.  But 
keeping  a  sharp  look-out  in  the  clear  night,  the  expedi- 
tion advanced  without  accident. 

The  river  still  gave  them  their  true  course.  And  this 
was  fortunate,  for  the  cypresses  all  resembled  each  other, 
with  their  twisted,  spiral  trunks,  hollow  below,  and 
throwing  out  their  long  roots  that  ridged  the  soil,  and 
rose  for  twenty  feet  or  more  in  cylindrical  stems,  huge 
ribs  with  knotty  handle  supporting  an  immense  green 
umbrella  that  gave  but  little  protection  from  either  rain 

^\Twas  beneath  these  trees  that  James  Burbank  and  his 
companions  were  journeying  a  little  before  daybreak. 
The  weather  was  magnificent.  There  was  no  storm  to 
fear,  which  might  make  the  -ground  an  impracticable 
marsh,  although  a  constant  look-out  was  necessary  to 
keep  clear  of  the  never-drying- bogs.     ,    ^  _ 

During  the  day  no  trace  was  met  with  of  either  boutn- 
erners  or  Seminoles.  It  might  be  that  the  Spaniard  had 
gone  down  the  left  bank,  which  was  clear  of  obstacles; 
but  by  either  bank  the  road  lay  direct  to  the  country 
mentioned  in  Zermah's  letter.  . 

The  night  came.  James  Burbank  halted  for  six  hours; 
then  the  rest  of  the  night  speedily  slipped  away.  The 
road  lay  in  silence  through  the  sleeping  cypress-grove. 
Not  a  breath  of  wind  troubled  the  dome  of  foliage.  The 
moon  outlined  on  the  ground  a  light  network  of  shadow. 
The  river  murmured  in  its  almost  level  bed;  many  shoals 
appeared  above  its  surface,  and  showed  that  it  could  be 
easily  crossed,  if  necessary» 


THE  GBEAT  CYPRESS  FOEEST.  221 

After  a  halt  of  two  hours,  the  march  was  resumed,  but 
during  this  day  the  guiding-thread  occasionally  gave  out 
as  though  the  end  of  the  skein  would  soon  be  reached' 
llie  river  was  a  mere  streak,  diving  every  now  and  then 
under  a  clump  of  cinchonas,  while  beyond  the  cypress- 
forest  shut  m  three-quarters  of  the  horizon.  At  last  it 
gave  out  altogether;  they  had  passed  its  source. 

And  now  they  reached  a  cemetéry  reserved,  according 
to  native  custom,  for  the  blacks  who  had  become  Chris 
tians  and  died  m  the  faith.  Here  and  there  were  humble 
crosses,  some  of  stone,  some  of  wood,  rising  from  the 
little  mounds  and  marking  the  graves  between  the  trees 
iwo  or  three  aerial  burials  had  taken  place,  and  the 
S  bfuX^^"*^^^''     swaying  in  the  wind  on  their  cradle 

J' The  existence  of  a  cemetery,"  said  Carrol,  ''ought  to 
show  that  we  are  near  a  village—" 

"  Which  need  not  exist,"  said  Gilbert,  "for  it  is  not 
nwi^fff  fl"'  and  villages  often  disappear  in  thèse  parts, 
owing  to  the  inhabitants  abandoning  them  or  their  beini 
destroyed  by  Indians."  ^ 

Ji^l^^^^FT^^'^,  i^"^^^  Burbank,  .-what  shall  we  *do 
now  the  St.  John's  has  gone  out.^^" 

We  must  follow  the  compass.  However  thick  the 
selves  ""^^^  ^^^^  ^®  impossible  for  us  to  lose  our- 

''Well,  let  us  get  on,"  said  Mars,  who  could  hardly 

tru?t  t^rtidlce."'  " 

Half  a  mile  beyond  the  negro  cemetery  they  came  out 
south  ^  ^""^^^  ^     '      '  compass  in  hand,  struck  off  due 

TT^^3.*^'  fv*  ^uKl^  incident  occurred. 

had  been  found  to  give  a  clue  ;  would 

t':^rtt       ^^IJ;f'  ^^^^  ^^^^  object,  or 

At  noon  they  stopped.  Gilbert,  taking  account  of  the 
di^  ance  from  Lake  Washington,  estimated  that  they  Vere 

l  iZ  tl  f  Oamdless  Bay,  and  more  than  three  hundred 
miles  had  been  traversed  with  exceptional  rapidity.  U 
the  absence  of  heavy  rain,  which  would  have  made  the 


222 


texae's  revenge. 


course  of  the  St.  John's  unnavigable,  and  flooded  the 
country,  and  in  the  clearness  of  the  moon,  everything  had 
been  favourable  for  the  journey. 

A  comparatively  short  distance  now  separated  them 
from  Oarneral  Island,  and  they  expected  to  reach  it  during 
tke  next  two  days.  What  was  to  happen  then  it  was 
impossible  to  foresee. 

But  if  hitherto  good  fortune  had. been  theirs,  it  seemed 
as  though  they  were  now  to  meet  with  insurmountable 
difiBculties. 

The  journey  had  been  resumed  as  usual  after  the  noon- 
day meal.  The  character  of  the  road  had  not  changed. 
There  were  still  large  sheets  of  water  and  quagmire  to 
avoid,  and  tiny  streams  to  be  crossed  knee-deep. 

About  four  o'clock  Mars  suddenly  stopped.  When  his 
companions  came  up  with  him  he  pointed  out  the  print 
of  feet  on  the  ground. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt,"  said  James  Burbank,  "  that 
a  body  of  men  have  recently  passed  here." 
And  a  large  body,"  said  Edward  Oarrol. 

"  Where  do  the  footsteps  come  from  ?  Where  do  they 
go  to  ?"  asked  Gilbert.  We  must  find  that  out  before 
we  do  anything  else." 

And  they  set  to  work  to  do  so. 

For  five  hundred  yards  to  the  east  they  traced  the  foot- 
steps, and  it  seemed  useless  to  go  further.  It  was  clearly 
shown  that  a  band  of  from  a  hundred  and  fifty  to  two 
hundred  men  had  come  from  the  Atlantic  coast  into  the 
cypress  grove.  The  footprints  were  continued  westward 
towards  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  thus  seemed  to  lead 
across  the  peninsula,  which  is  here  only  two  hundred 
miles  wide.  It  was  apparent  that  these  men  had  camped 
on  the  very  spot  that  the  Burbanks  were  now  examining  ; 
and  Gilbert  and  Mars  went  off  to  follow  the  westward 
trail  for  a  little.  To  their  astonishment,  they  found  that 
it  soon  turned  to  the  south.  When  they  returned,  Gilbert 
explained. 

We  are  preceded  by  a  body  of  men  who  are  going  the 
same  road  as  we  are.  They  are  armed,  for  we  found  the 
bits  of  the  cartridges  they  used  to  light  their  fires  with. 
Who  they  are  I  know  not.  All  I  can  say  is  that  they  are 
numerous,  and  are  going  to  the  Everglades." 


A  MEETING. 


223 


r?^'"^^^  J?^^  ^  ^^^^  wandering  Seminoles  ?"  asked 
Edward  Carrol. 

^^No,"  answered  Mars  ;  ^Hlie  footprints  show  they  are 
Americans."  ^ 
gJ^^P^rhaps  soldiers  of  the  Floridan  militia,"  said  James 

That  is  to  be  feared,"  said  Perry.  "  They  seem  to  me 
to  be  too  manny  of  them  to  belong  to  Texar." 

/'Unless  he  has  been  joined  by  some  of  his  partisans, 
who  must  have  come  to  him  in  hundreds,"  said  Carrol. 
V^e  are  only  seventeen,"  said  the  overseer 
'  What  does  that  matter  ?"  exclaimed  Gilbert.  "If  thev 
attack  us,  not  one  of  us  will  run."  " 
''^o  I  no  !"  said  all  his  companions. 
Their  courage  was  the  same  as  it  had  been  ;  but  it 
seemed  hard  to  meet  with  an  obstacle  when  so  near 
their  object.    And  what  an  obstacle  !    A  detachment  of 
Southerners,  come  to  join  the  Spaniard  in  theEverdades 

of  F  ni?l  ^""^  ^^^^     ^PP^^  ^^^^     the  north 

Ly  Jh    \i.  ^^Ti"  V'  felt  it  to  be  so. 

And  after  the  first  display  of  enthusiasm,  they  stood  silent, 
^^^l^/^^^'^f^and  asking  what  orders  he  would 

CnH  •fTf^'^i''''^  ^^^^on  impression, 

but  notwithstanding,  he  gave  the  word— 
"  Forward  !" 


CHAPTER  X. 

A  MEETIIÎ-G. 


.  Yes  ;  forward  they  must  go.  But  under  these  serious 
circumstances  every  precaution  was  taken.  It  was  indis- 
pensable  to  clear  the  march,  to  reconnoitre  the  thickets 
on  the  road,  to  be  ready  for  anything. 

The  weapons  were  carefully  examined  and  held  ready 
for  immediate  service.    At  the  least  alarm  the  packages 

K  t-  ""V^^  ^'^"^^        the  men  wolld 

fight  behind  them.    The  order  of  march  remained 


224 


texar's  sevenge. 


before.  Gilbert  and  Mars  formed  the  vanguard,  but  they 
kept  further  ahead  to  guard  against  surprise.  The  rate  of 
progress  was  the  same,  but  it  seemed  better  not  to  follow- 
in  the  same  track  as  the  others  had  gone.  Better  would 
it  be  if  they  did  not  meet  with  the  detachment  in  advance 
of  them  on  the  road  to  the  Everglades.  But  this  did  not 
seem  to  be  easy,  for  the  detachment  had  not  moved  in  a 
straight  line,  but  had  diverged  to  the  right  and  left, 
showing  a  certain  amount  of  hesitation,  though  the  general 
advance  was  unmistakably  southwards. 

A  day  passed.  Nothing  happened  to  bring  James 
Barbank  to  a  standstill.  He  had  kept  on  at  a  good  pace, 
and  had  evidently  gained  on  those  in  front  of  him.  Horn- 
by hour  the  traces  of  their  passage  became  more  recent. 
It  became  easy  to  see  how  often  they  had  halted  either  to 
camp  or  take  counsel. 

Gilbert  and  Mars  studied  the  trail  with  great  care  ; 
almost  as  if  they  had  been  Seminole  trackers. 

"  We  are  certain,"  said  Gilbert,  ''that  neither  Zermah 
nor  Dy  are  with  this  party.  There  are  no  footprints  of  a 
horse,  and  if  Zermah  was  with  them  it  is  obvious  that  with 
Dy  in  her  arms  her  footprints  would  be  easily  recognizable, 
and  we  should  see  Dy's  footsteps  at  the  halting-places. 
But  there  is  no  mark  of  woman's  foot  or  girl's  foot.  The 
detachment  carries  firearms.  We  can  see  the  marks  of 
the  stocks  on  the  ground.  But  I  notice  that  the  stocks 
are  like  those  on  the  rifles  carried  by  sailors.  Probably 
the  Florida  militia  has  such  arms  ;  if  not,  I  cannot  under- 
stand it.  One  thing  is  certain,  and  that  is  that  the  band 
is  ten  times  as  numerous  as  ours,  and  we  must  be  very 
careful  as  we  get  nearer  to  them." 

And  everything  was  done  to  carry  out  this  suggestion. 
His  deductions  from  the  evidence  of  the  footprints  were 
correct.  It  was  obvious  that  neither  Dy  nor  Zermah  were 
with  the  detachment,  and  it  seemed  from  this  certain  that 
they  were  not  on  the  track  of  the  Spaniard.  The  men 
from  Black  Creek  could  not  be  so  numerous  or  so  well 
armed.  And  there  could  be  little  doubt  that  a  strong 
body  of  militia  were  on  the  march  to  the  Everglades, 
where  Texar  had  probably  arrived  a  day  or  two  before. 
And  these  militiamen  might  make  matters  serious  for 
James  Burbank. 


225 


That  evening  they  halted  on  the  edge  of  a  narrow  clear- 
ing, which  had  been  occupied  an  hour  or  two  beforehand, 
to  judge  from  the  heap  of  scarcely  cold  cinders  and  the 
traces  of  the  camp.  When  this  was  ascertained,  it  was 
decided  not  to  resume  the  march  till  after  nightfall.  The 
night  was  dark.  The  sky  was  cloudy.  The  moon  did 
not  rise  till  late.  They  could  approach  the  detachment 
under  the  most  favourable  conditions.  Could  they  recon- 
noitre the  camp  without  being  perceived?  Could  they 
get  round  it  during  the  night,  and  hurry  on  in  front  so 
as  to  be  first  at  Lake  Okee-cho-bee  and  Camera!  Island  ? 

The  expedition,  with  Mars  anâ  Gilbert  ahead  as  scouts, 
started  about  half-past  eight,  and  silently  entered  into  the 
darkness  under  the  trees.  For  two  hours  they  kept  on, 
making  as  little  noise  as  possible. 

A  little  after  ten  o'clock  James  Burbank  stopped  with 
a  word  the  group  of  blacks  at  whose  head  he  and  the  over- 
seer were  walking.  His  son  and  Mars  were  coming  back 
towards  him,  and  he  waited  anxiously  for  an  explanation 
of  their  rapid  retreat. 

The  explanation  was  soon  given. 
What  is  it?"  he  asked,  "  What  do  you  see?" 

"  A  camp  under  the  trees,  and  the  fires  aliffht." 
Far  off  ?"  asked  Carrol.  ^ 
About  a  hundred  yards." 

''Did  you  see  who  they  were?" 

"No;  the  fires  are  dying  down,"  said  Gilbert.  " But  I 
do  not  think  we  are  wrong  in  saying  there  are  two  hun- 
dred men." 

''Are  they  asleep?" 

"  Most  of  them,  but  they  have  got  men  on  the  watch. 
We  saw  the  sentinels  with  their  rifles  on  their  shoulders 
pacing  backwards  and  forwards  under  the  cypresses." 

"  What  are  we  to  do?"  asked  Carrol. 

"We  must  first  of  all  reconnoitre  them,"  said  Gilbert 
"  and  see  who  they  are,  if  possible.  "  ' 

"  I  am  ready,"  said  Mars." 

"  ril  go  with  you,"  said  Perry. 

"No,  rilgo,'^said  Gilbert;  ''I  would  rather  see  for 
myself." 

"Gilbert,"  said  James  Burbank,  "there  is  not  one  of 
us  who  would  not  risk  his  life  for  the  goed  of  us  all; 


i 


526 


TEXAR*S  EEVENGE. 


but  to  make  this  reconnaissance  with  some  chance  of  not 
being  seen,  only  one  ought  to  go." 
'^'11  go  alone." 

*'No,  my  son.    I  would  rather  you  stayed  with  us." 

I  am  ready,  master!" 
And  Mars,  •  without  another  word,  disappeared  in  the 
darkness. 

While  he  was  gone  James  Burbank  prepared  for  an 
attack.  The  bales  and  packages  were  laid  down  in  a  cir- 
cle; the  bearers  took  to  their  weapons,  and  with  the  others 
went  into  hiding  among  the  trees,  awaiting  further 
orders. 

From  where  James  Burbank  stood  he  could  not  see  the 
camp.  He  had  to  go  about  fifty  yards  before  the  fires 
were  visible;  and  he  resolved  to  wait  till  the  half-breed  re- 
turned before  he  took  any  further  measures.  The  lieu- 
tenant was  more  impajtient,  and]went  forward  a  few  yards. 

Mars  approached  the  camp,  gliding  silently  from  trunk 
to  trunk,  hoping  to  get  near  enough  to  see  how  the  men 
were  placed,  and  who  they  were,  and  how  many  they 
were.  This  did  not  seem  to  be  difficult.  The  night  was 
dark,  and  the  fires  gave  but  little  light.  But  to  succeed 
he  must  get  almost  inside  the  camp. 

To  have  the  free  use  of  his  limbs  as  much  as  possible 
he  had  taken  with  him  neither  rifle  nor  revolver.  It 
would  be  necessary  to  defend  himself  in  silence,  and  his 
only  weapon  was  his  axe. 

Soon  the  bra^'e  half-breed  was  close  to  one  of  the  sen- 
tries, who  was  only  seven  or  eight  yards  from  the  fires. 
All  was  still.  Evidently  the  nien  were  tired  after  their 
long  march,  and  were  asleep.  The  sentinels  alone  were 
watching  at  their  posts  with  more  or  less  vigilance. 

For  a  moment  or  so  he  looked  at  the  man  who  was 
nearest  him.  He  was  standing  upright  against  a  cypress- 
trunk,  and  gave  no  si^/n  of  moving.  His  gun  was  rest- 
ing on  the  ground,  and  he  seemed  half -asleep.  Was  it 
possible  to  slip  round  him? 

Mars  crept  stealthily  towards  him.  Suddenly  the 
crackling  of  a  dry  branch  revealed  his  presence. 

Instantly  the  man  raised  his  head  and  looked  to  the 
right  and  left. 

Doubtless  he  saw  something  suspicious,  for  he  brought 
his  gun  to  his  shoulder. 


Ëefore  he  Could  fire  Mars  had  knocked  his  gun  up 
against  him  and  sent  him  flying  to  the  ground,  and  at  the 
same  time  clapped  his  large  hand  on  his  mouth  so  that  he 
could  utter  no  cry.  A  moment  afterwards  the  man  was 
gagged,  and  carried  hurriedly  to  James  Burbank. 

The  other  sentinels  took  no  notice  of  what  had  passed. 
Evidently  their  watch  was  a  negligent  one. 

Mars  laid  his  burden  ai  his  young  master's  feet.  The 
blacks  crowded  up.  The  man  was  half-suffocated,  and 
when  the  gag  was  removed  he  could  not  for  a  moment  or 
so  say  a  word.  The  darkness  was  too  great  for  his  uni- 
form to  be  seen. 

Help!"  he  shouted. 

Not  a  word!"  said  James  Burbank,  stopping  him. 
"  You  have  nothing  to  fear  from  us." 
^'  What  do  you  with  me?" 
"  To  answer  truthfully  to  our  questions." 
"That  will  depend  on  your  questions,"  said  the  man. 
Are  you  for  the  South  or  the  North?" 
"  For  the  North." 
"I  am  ready  to  reply." 
Gilbert  took  up  the  examination. 

How  many  men  are  there  in  that  camp?" 
"  Nearly  two  hundred." 
"Where  are  they  going?" 
"  To  the  Everglades." 
"Who  is  in  command?" 
"  Captain  Ho  wick." 

"What,  Captain  Howick  of  the  Wabash  f 
"Yes." 

"  Is  it  a  detachment  of  seamen  from  Commodore  Du- 
pont's  squadron?" 

"Yes;  Federals,  Northerners,  Anti-slavery  men. 
Unionists!"  said  the  man,  apparently  quite  proud  at  an- 
nouncing the  different  titles  of  the  followers  of  the  good 
cause. 

And  so,  instead  of  a  body  of  Florida  militia,  of  Texar's 
partisans,  James  Burbank  had  met  with  friends,  with 
companions  in  arms,  whose  reinforcement  was  most  wel- 
come. 

"  Hurrah!"  they  shouted  with  such  vigour  that  the  . 
whole  camp  was  instantly  afoot. 


Suddenly  torches  flared  up  in  the  darkness.  Burbank's 
men  rushed  into  the  clearing,  and  Captain  Howick,  with- 
out a  word  of  explanation,  held  out  his  hand  to  the  young 
lieutenant,  whom  he  never  expected  to  meet  on  the  road 
to  the  Everglades.  Explanations  did  not  take  lonff,  nor 
were  they  difficult. 

''What  are  you  doing  in  Lower  Florida,  captain?" 
asked  Gilbert. 

My  dear  Burbank,"  said  the  captain,  we  have  been 
sent  on  an  expedition  by  the  commodore." 

Where  do  you  come  from?^' 
_"From  Mosquito  Inlet,  and  we  have  been  to  capture 
JNew  Smyrna  m  the  interior  of  the  county." 

"  And  where  are  you  going  now?" 

"  To  punish  a  band  of  Southerners  who  took  a  couple 
of  our  boats  in  an  ambuscade,  and  to  avenge  the  deaths 
of  our  brave  comrades." 

And  Captain  Howick  related  what  James  Burbank 
could  not  know,  for  it  took  place  two  days  after  he  left 
Oamdless  Bay. 

^  Commodore  Dupont  was,  it  will  be  remembered,  organ- 
izing the  effective  blockade  of  the  coast.  In  doing  this 
his  flotilla  was  stationed  off  Anastasia  Island,  above  St, 
Augustine,  at  the  mouth  of  the  channel  separating  the 
Bahamas  from  Cape  Sable  at  the  southern  end  of  Florida. 
But  this  did  not  seem  enough  to  him,  and  he  resolved  to 
give  chase  to  the  Southern  vessels  in  the  smaller  rivers  of 
the  peninsula.  One  of  the  expeditions  on  this  service 
consisted  of  a  detachment  of  seamen  and  two  boats.  The 
Southerners  kept  a  careful  watch  on  their  proceedings, 
and  allowed  the  boats  to  get  well  up  into  the  wild  part  of 
Florida.  To  advance  so  far  was  certainly  imprudent,  for 
the  Indians  and  militia  were  in  great  foi  ce  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, and  the  result  was  that  they  fell  into  an  ambus- 
cade on  the  shore  of  Lake  Kissimmee,  about  eighty  miles 
westward  of  Cape  Malabar.  They  were  attacked  by  a 
numerous  body  of  the  enemy,  and  the  two  officers  in  com- 
mand and  many  of  the  men  were  killed.  The  survivors 
regained  Mosquito  Inlet  by  miracle,  and  Commodore 
Dupont  at  once  sent  off  an  expedition  to  avenge  the  mas- 
sacre of  the  Federals. 
A  detachment  of  two  hundred  men  was  placed  under" 


coast,  and,  afL  takint^^pl^™-^''"^'  ''^"^  ""il-^^  f™»  the 
Captain  How^L  sS  off  to  If '"''"'.f  "^cessarj, 
theVparty  who"  resnf  .ihlf^  southwest  in  chase  of 
.acre  anUis  pa^^^  IfK t  tt  ^'^S-r^^ 

/'fea1rtirolir^?^^L!r"'  ^'^'"«"^^^^^ 

there?"  omcei.       What  are  you  going  to  do 

gojn^tdo!  cIS?'''*  t"^-'  -  you  are 

II  scoundrels 

Eight  days  ago/' 

"And  you  have  not  met  anv  mrfv  nf  q^,  ^t, 
your  way^*"  party. ot  boutherners  on 

Do  i  ku^rhTmT'"'  detachment  you  are  after? 

be  so?S''?''-   '^"'^  "     ""t^h  him  Mr.  Burbank  will  not 

Au^g™ 

sa„'lyo'^*a;;:^tr''  "Texarchief  of  theparti 

sacre^'LTt'Lad^l  L^%7tv  ?eVo  "^^-f't™-- 

ascertained  at  New  srvra  thMr^'l^?  """^ 
to  the  Everglades."  h«  had  taken  himself  off 

asked^Oarrol.^""  '^^'^        ''^^^       J""  going  to  do?" 

4h!t7s%h'rcom''«*teKef'  d^'^^'r 
ehall  execute  it  wiSt  deiay  "     '  """^  ^^^"^'i 

prod:cedZttiank'''^Thîs  ^'''^ 
the  almost  certain  de  ivemnce  of  n!'"*T^™'"' ""«^n* 
a^seured  capture  of  the  SpaS  and  V,^  """^  ^^T'''''  t"»^ 
the  inerita^lepuBishLtt  for  his  crime8'°°°'"P'''='^'  ^''^ 


^3Ô  ÏEiAR*S  REVEîfÔE. 

Gilbert  tnen  told  Captain  Howick  the  object  of  thei* 
expedition  to  Southern  Florida,  which,  in  the  first  place, 
meant  the  deliverance  of  Zermah  and  the  girl,  carried  off 
to  Oarneral  Island,  as  the  half-breed's  letter  showed.  The 
captain  also  learnt  that  the  alibi  invoked  by  the  Spaniard 
at  the  court-martial  could  not  be  true,  although  they 
could  not  at  present  disprove  it.  But  with  this  ma^acre 
at  Kissimmee  there  seemed  to  be  no  chance  of  iexar 

^^An  unexpected  observation  of  James  Burbank's,  how- 
ever, led  to  somewhat  different  thoughts.       .  ,  , 

"  Can  you  tell  me,"  he  asked  Captain  Howick,  "when 
the  Federal  boats  were  attacked?"    ^„  ,   ^        ,  „ 
The  massacre  took  place  on  the  22nd  of  March 
^^But  on  the  22nd  of  March  Texar  was  at  Black  Creek  I 
How  could  he  have  taken  part  in  the  massacre  at  Kissim- 
mee, two  hundred  miles  away?" 

What  do  you  mean?"  asked  the  captain. 
"  I  mean  that  Texar  could  not  have  been  at  the  heaa 
of  the  Southerners  who  attacked  your  men."  ^ 

You  are  mistaken,  Mr.  Burbank.  The  Spaniard  was 
seen  by  some  of  the  men  who  escaped.  I  examined  them 
myself,  and  they  recognized  Texar  from  having  seen  him 

at  St.  Augustine."  ^      r^i  -^i.  7^v 

^' That  cannot  be,  captain.  The  letter  written  by  Zei- 
mah  proves  that  on  the  22nd  of  March  Texar  was  at 

Black  Creek."  ,     tt         ^x.  ^  i,;» 

Gilbert  had  listened  without  a  word.  He  saw  that  His 
father  must  be  right.  The  Spaniard  could  not  have  been 
near  Kissimmee  on  the  day  of  the  massacre. 

'^What  does  it  matter?"  he  said.  -There  is  some- 
thing about  the  man  which  at  present  we  cannot  under- 
stand, and  why  should  we  try  to  do  so?  On  the  22nd  of 
March  he  was  at  Black  Creek,  as  Zermah  says.  On  the 
22nd  he  was  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  Floridans,  two  hun- 
dred miles  away,  so  you  say.  Well,  .be  it  so  We  are 
agreed  that  he  is  now  in  the  Everglades.  Let  us  catch 
him  as  soon  as  we  can!"  ,  .   tt    -  ^     a  k^a 

"  Yes,  Gilbert,  that's  it,"  said  Captain  Howick.  And 
we'll  shoot  him  anyhow!    Let  us  be  off." 

The  fact,  like  the  others,  was  none  the  less  incompre- 
hensible.   It  seemed  as  though  the  Spaniard  had  a  double. 


ÏHË  ÉVESGtAfiÈS.  231 

Would  the  mystery  be  cleared  up?   In  any  case  the 
only  thing  to  do  was  to  make  snre  of  Tezar  and 
Howick's  seamen  and  Burbank's  negroes  fell  in  toeetW 
and  resumed  their  way  to  the  south  togeUiei, 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  ETEKGLADBS. 


A  HOEEIBLB  district  is  that  of  the  Everglades  and  vp+ 
It  IS  superb  Situated  in  the  southern  part  of  PIorM 
extends  right  down  to  Cape  Sable,  the  extreme  no  nt' of 
waterôf  'V'-f  ™mense  marsr  The 

=oft;:^ASp„VL'MSfr 
œiiShi^a^^r^ 

^But  let  It  not  be  supposed  that  it  is  barren  On  thp 
Z^f'rTT'  Përtmes  o^  he^wtnTerSlX:" 

tSe^œ^^^^^^^ 

IS  just  a  little  below  the  twerty^eyL th  mr.n;?  '  T^'''''' 
flnZr^'r",  '''^^  Clr3  li'nî  wire  Tex"ar 

def^'^usuit'''  '°  which  Te  Sum 

The  country  was  worthv  of  him  on/f  t.;. 


232  TEXAr'S  REVEKGliî. 

Creeks  and  Seminoles  and  nomadic  Indians  who  were 
only  subdued  after  the  long  bloody  war  that  ended  m 
1845. 

Oameral  Island  seemed  safe  from  all  attack.  On  the 
eastern  side  it  is  separated  from  the  mainland  by  a  narrow 
channel  about  a  hundred  feet  across,  and  the  only  means 
of  communication  was  a  heavy  boat.  To  escape  by  swim- 
ming was  impossible,  for  no  one  would  dare  to  enter  the 
slimy  water  which  bristled  with  long  interlacing  plants  and 
swarmed  with  reptiles.  i,  i* 

Beyond  was  the  cvpress  forest  with  the  ground  Jùaii 
under  water  and  traVersed  but  by  narrow  paths  which 
were  by  no  means  easy  to  trace.  A  clayey  soil  sticking 
to  the  feet  like  glue,  enormous  trunks  of  fallen  trees  bar- 
ring the  way,  and  a  sufEocating  odour  pf  mouldiness  were 
among  the  other  obstacles  to  be  overcome  m  .the  ap- 
proach. And  there  were  masses  of  formidable  plants, 
such  as  the  phylacias,  and  millions  of  pezizas,  gigantic 
mushrooms,  as  explosive  as  if  they  were  charged  with 
gun-cotton  or  dynamite,  going  off  with  a  violent  report  at 
the  slightest  shock  and  filling  the  air  with  a  choking 
cloud  of  tawny  spores  that  give  the  human  skm  an  erup- 
tion of  painful  pustules,  so  that  the  spiteful  vegetables 
have  to  be  avoided  as  carefully  as  the  most  dangerous  ani- 
mals of  the  teratologic  world.  ^ 

Texar's  dwelling  was  an  old  Indian  wigwam  built  on 
piles  under  the  branches  of  the  large  trees  in  the  eastern 
end  of  the  island.  Hidden  amid  the  foliage,  it  was  invis- 
ible even  from  the  nearest  bank.  The  two  hounds 
guarded  it  with  as  much  vigilance  as  they  did  the  block- 
house at  Black  Creek,  and,  trained  to  the  chase  of  men, 
would  tear  in  pieces  any  one  attempting  to  approach  the 

wigwam.  t\  a 

Two  days  had  passed  since  Zermah  and  little  Dy  naa 
arrived.  The  journey  had  been  easy  enough  till  they 
reached  Lake  Washington,  but  after  entering  the  cypress 
forest  it  had  been  exceedingly  painful,  even  for  the  vig-or- 
ous  men  who  were  used  to  the  unhealthy  climate  and  the 
long  wearisome  advance  through  the  marsh.  What  the 
woman  and  child  had  suffered  can  be  imagined!  But 
Zermah  was  strong,  brave,  and  devoted,  and  throughout 
the  journey  had  carried  little  Dy  whose  legs  would  soon 


"CHE  BVEBGLADBS.  233 

hare  failed  her;  and  when  she  re;iched  Car-.oral  Island 
she  was  almost  exhausted.  ^wduu 
And  after  what  had  passed  when  Texar  and  Sqnambo 

sJie  stui  held  out  ?  She  had  no  means  of  knowing  that 
the  letter  she  had  given  to  the  young  slave  hadfa Hel  into 

with  his  life  for  the  act  of  devotion  by  which  he  had  at 
tempted  to  save  her.  He  had  bee/  surprised  at  the 
moment  he  was  starting  for  Camdless  Bay,  and  had  been 
mortally  wounded;  and  the  half-breed  had  said  to  herself 
that  now  James  Burbank  would  never  know  that  the 
Spaniard  was  going  to  Carneral  Island,  and  how  could  he 
get  any  clue  to  her  whereabouts  ?  How  then  couW  she 
retain  the  shadow  of  a  hope  ?   Every  chance  oî  ZtTtt 

knewloo^weT  T^'  " '"^^^  -gio/wtr  holS 
-^.i       T**":  ,  ^^'^  o°  escape  was  possible  ! 

,„i7»  !f  7  ^        °*  Srei^^  weakness  ;  and  in 

111.  l'aie  and  emaciated  as  if  she  had  been  poisoned  bv 
lno,rwf the  marshes,  she  was  no  logger  strong 
bu?  f  f.w  "î'^  ^""^  •'""I'i        difficulty  uttef 

but  a  few  words,  which  were  always  an  inquiry  for  her 
mother.    Zermah  could  no  longer  tell  her,  a7she  had 

cZk  Lf\^''^  -^^y^  ^''"^  arriÇal  at  Black 
Creek  that  she  would  soon  see  Mrs.  Burbank,  and  that 

cZitV'^mk  b'"  ^^'^  M-^'  soon 

come  to  her.  With  her  precocious  intelligence  rendered 
more  acute  since  the  dreadful  scenes  at  th^  plantation 
Dy  saw  that  she  had  been  torn  from  her  home  and  wal  ?n 

her  '  i  ^  ""'t""^  ^""^  ""^les^  «"""^  ca^  to 
so  7err^»rt'  "^T^'-  ^S^™  «60  Camdless  Bay.  And 
so  Zermah  knew  not  what  to  answer,  and  in  spite  of  all 
she  could  do,  saw  the  child  gradually'wasting  Zly 
season  Tffffi  '™  o?ly  a  huge  hut  which  fn  the  winter 
season  afforded  no  adequate  protection.  The  wind  and 
the  ram  penetrated  it  on  all  sides.  But  in  the  hTseaton 
which  was  now  coming  on  in  this  latitude?  it  at  lea 4  pro 
yided  shelter  from  the  heat  of  the  sun.  'it  wa  divided 

badlya[e"dTnd1-;'^'r*'  ■  O"*'  narrow  and 
tot  w  f  tbf  communicate  with  the  open  air, 

but  with  the  other  room,,  which  obtained  its  light  from  â 


234  texar's  eevbnge. 

door  that  opened  on  to  the  bank  of  the  narrow  channel. 
Zermah  and  Dy  had  been  lodged  in  the  small  room,  where 
a  litter  of  herbs  served  them  for  a  bed.  _ 

The  other  room  was  occupied  by  Texar  and  the  Indian 
Squambo,  who  never  left  his  master.  For  furniture,  they 
had  a  table  with  many  jars  of  brandy,  and  glasses  and  a 
few  plates,  a  sort  of  cupboard  for  provisions,  a  half -squared 
tree-trunk  for  a  seat  and  two  bundles  of  herbs  for  beds. 
The  fire  necessary  to  cook  the  meals  was  made  on  the 
stone  hearth  outside,  in  one  of  the  angles  of  the  wigwam 
and  it  proved  sufficient  for  the  preparation  of  the  dried 
meat  and  venison  that  a  hunter  could  find  on  the  island, 
and  the  fruits  and  vegetables  in  an  almost  wild  state,  just 
enough,  in  fact,  to  keep  them  from  dying  of  hunger. 

The  half-dozen  slaves  Texar  had  brought  with  him 
from  Black  Greek  slept  out  of  doors  like  the  dogs,  and 
like  them  served  as  guards  on  the  approaches. 

From  the  first  day  Dy  and  Zermah  were  allowed  to  go 
out  and  in  as  they  pleased.  They  were  no  longer  impris- 
oned in  their  rooms.  But  they  were  watched.  The  pre- 
caution was  superfluous,  for  no  one  could  cross  the  chan- 
nel without  using  the  boat  that  was  always  m  the  sate 
keeping  of  the  blacks.  And  as  she  walked  about  Zermah 
took  careful  notice  of  the  difficulties  of  escape. 

The  first  day  the  half-breed  was  never  out  of  sight  of 
Squambo;  but  she  did  not  see  Texar.  When  night  came 
she,  however,  heard  the  Spaniard  talking  to  the  Seminole, 
and  ordering  him  to  keep  a  strict  watch.  And  soon  all 
but  Zermah  were  asleep  in  the  wigwam. 

Up  to  then  Zermah,  it  should  be  said,  had  not  had  a 
single  word  spoken  to  her  by  Texar.  As  she  ascended 
the  river  towards  Lake  Washington,  she  had  in  vain  asked 
him  what  he  was  going  to  do  with  her  and  the  child. 
And  while  she  spoke  the  Spaniard  contented  himself  with 
shrugging  his  shoulders  and  fixing  his  cruel  eyes  on  her, 
and  looking  as  if  he  scorned  to  answer.  But  Zermah  had 
no  intention  of  giving  in.  When  she  reached  Carneral 
Island,  she  resolved  to  attack  Texar  so  as  to  excite  his 
pity,  if  not  for  herself,  at  least  for  the  unfortunate  child, 
and  if  his  pity  failed  her  to  appeal  to  his  self-interest. 

An  opportunity  offered.  The  day  after  her  arriva), 
while  the  little  girl  was  asleep,  Zermah  walked  out  towards 


THE  EVERGLADES.  235 

the  channel  by  the  side  of  which  Texar  was  then  standing 
and  giving  orders  with  Squambo  to  the  slaves,  who  were 
at  work  weeding,  for  the  water  was  so  choked  that  the 
barge  could  hardly  pass.  ,  While  this  was  being  done  two 
ot  the  negroes  were  striking  the  surface  of  the  water  with 
long  poles  so  as  to  frighten  away  the  reptiles  whose  heads 
appeared  every  now  and  then  above  the  surface 

A  moment  afterwards  Squambo  left  his  master,  and 
lexar  was  also  going  away  when  Zermah  came  up 

Texar  -vsaid  Zermah  firmly,  -I  wish  to  speak  to  you. 
I^his  will  be  the  last  time,  doubtless,  and  I  beg  you  to  hear 

The  Spaniard,  who  had  just  lighted  his  cigarette,  did 
not  answer,  and  Zermah  having  waited  a  few  seconds  con- 
tmued, — 

Burbank       ^""^^  me  what  you  are  going  to  do  with  Dy 
No  reply. 

"I  say  nothing  about  my  own  fate.  All  I  have  to  do 
with  now  IS  that  of  this  child,  whose  life  is  in  danger,  and 
who  will  soon  escape  you." 

At  this  Texar  made  a  gesture  of  the  most  absolute  in- 
credulity. 

fl-'iT-?^  .Tf7  f^^^"  continued  Zermah.  "If  not  by 
flight  it  will  be  by  death."  .  "J 

reefed  ^^'"'^'"'^  ^^""^  ^  ^^^^  ^^^^  cigarette,  and 

V       \  S^^^  ^^g^t  after  a  few  days' 

rest,  and  I  reckon  on  your  care,  Zermah,  to  retain  its  nre- 
cious  existence  for  us."  ^ 

A  'l^^^i/^Ç®''*'.-,  •^^^^''^  ^^^3^  1^^^         child  will  be 
dead,  and  dead  without  any  profit  to  you  " 

-Without  profit!"  replied  Texar,  -  when  I  have  her 
lar  from  her  dying  mother,  her  father  and  her  brother 
reduced  to  despair?"  ^Jiotner 

T  " -^^'^'^''r'^'^  Zermah.    -You  have  your  revenge, 
Texar,  but  beheve  me  it  would  be  more  to  your  advantage 
to  give  up  the  child  than  to  keep  her  here  " 
''What  is  that  you  say?" 

or.'^'^i.^îw^*  you  have  made  James  Burbank  suffer 
enough;  that  now  it  is  your  interest  to  sneak  " 
My  interest  ?" 


236  texar's  revenge. 

"  Certainly.    The  plantation  of  Camdless  Bay  has  been 
laid  waste.    Mrs.  Burbank  is  dying,  perhaps  dead  at  this 
moment:  her  daughter  has  disappeared,  and  her  father  is 
vainly  endeavoring  to  find  her.    All  this  has  been  done 
bv  vou,  Texar.    I  know  it  !  and  I  have  the  right  to  tell 
vou  so  to  your  face.    But  take  care  1    Your  crimes  will 
be  discovered  some  day,  and  think  of  the  punishment  that 
will  come  to  you!    Your  best  interest  now  is  to  show  pity. 
I  do  not  speak  for  myself,  though  my  husband  wiU  not 
find  me  when  he  returns.    No,  I  speak  only  for  the  little 
sirl  who  is  dying.    Keep  me  if  you  like,  but  send  the  child 
back  to  Camdless  Bay  to  her  mother;  then  they  will  never 
ask  you  about  the  past,  and  if  you  want  it  they  will  even 
pay  you  well  for  the  girFs  liberty.    If  I  take  upon  myself 
to  speak  like  this,  and  propose  this  exchange  it  is  because 
I  know  James  Burbank  and  his  people  to  the  bottom  ot 
their  hearts;  because  I  know  they  would  sacrifice  all  their 
fortune  to  save  the  child,  and  I  call  God  to  witness  they 
will  keep  the  promise  their  slave  has  made." 

"Their  slave?"  exclaimed  Texar  ironically.  "  ihere 
are  now  no  slaves  at  Camdless  Bay." 

"  There  are;  for  in  order  to  stay  with  my  master  1  re- 
fused to  be  set  free."  ^  a  -  a 
"Indeed,  Zermah,  indeed!"  answered  the  bpaniara. 
"Well,  since  you  do  not  mind  being  a  slave  we  can  under- 
stand each  other.  Six  or  seven  years  ago  I  wished  to  buy 
vou  of  my  friend  Tickborn.  I  offered  for  you,  for  you 
alone,  a  considerable  sum,  and  you  would  have  belonged 
to  me  ever  since  if  James  Burbank  had  not  got  hold  oî 
vou.    Now  I  have  you,  and  I  will  keep  you." 

"  Be  it  so,  Texar,"  said  Zermah.  "  I  will  be  your  slave. 
But  the  child  !    Will  you  not  give  her  up  ?" 

"  The  child  of  James  Burbank  !"  answered  Texar  m  a 
tone  of  the  deepest  hatred.  Give  her  up  to  her  father  . 
Never  !" 

"  Villain  !"  exclaimed  Zermah  in  anger.  It  her  father 
does  not  take  her  from  you,  God  will  !" 

A  OTin,  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders,  and  that  was  all  the 
Spaniard's  answer.  He  had  rolled  up  a  second  cigarette 
and  lighted  it  calmly  with  the  end  of  the  last,  and  strolled 
off  up  the  bank  of  the  channel  without  another  look  at 
Zermah,  who  would  have  struck  him  as  if  he  had  been  a 


THE  EVERGLADES.  237 

wild  beast,  at  the  risk  of  being  massacred  by  Squambo 
and  his  companions,  had  she  only  had  a  weapon.  But  she 
could  do  nothing.  Motionless  she  stood  and  watched  the 
blacks  at  work  Nowhere  a  friendly  face;  nothing  but 
the  faces  of  brutes  hardly  seeming  to  be  human.  And  she 
went  back  to  the  wigwam  to  resume  her  part  of  mother 
to  the  child  who  m  a  feeble  voice  was  calling  her  She 
tried  to  console  the  poor  little  creature,  whom  she  took 
m  her  arms  and  animated  with  her  kisses;  and  then  she 
brought  the  child  outside  and  gave  her  a  warm  drink  made 
on  the  hearth.  All  she  could  do  in  her  state  of  destitu- 
tion she  did.  Dy  thanked  her  with  a  smile-and  such  a 
smile— sadder  than  if  it  had  been  tears. 

A^^'Th^f  ""^^  '"w*^^  Spaniard  again  all  that  day. 
And  she  did  not  seek  to  see  him.  What  good  would  it 
do  He  would  not  change  his  sentiments,  and  by  these 
recriminations  things  might  become  worse.  For  though 
^itJ  f^  during  her  stay  at  Black  Creek,  and  since  ter 
arrival  at  Carneral  Island,  the  worst  treatment  had  been^ 
spared  her  and  the  child,  there  was  everything  to  be  feared 
from  such  a  man.  A  fit  of  anger  might  drive  him  to  the 
greatest  violence.    No  pity  could  be  expected  from  him! 

7^if  \  if  .r.^  «f  liis  hate 

Zermah  had  given  up  all  hope  in  the  future.  As  to  the 
Sî^iTï?"  companions,  Squambo  and  the  slaves,  how 
could  they  be  expected  to  be  more  human  than  their 
nia^ter  ?  They  knew  the  fate  that  awaited  them  if  they 
showed  the  slightest  sympathy.  From  them  nothing 
was  to  be  hoped.    Zermah  must  trust  to  herself  Her 

tSght!  ""^^  ^''''^^       ^""^  ^"^"^^^ 

But  how  ?  The  ring  of  water  that  surrounded  the  island 
must  be  crossed,  and  though  near  the  wigwam  the  chan 
ne  was  narrow,  yet  it  could  not  be  swum.    There  was 
only  one  chance  and  that  was  to  seize  on  the  barge 

on  '  V^'^  come 

on  and  the  wind  swept  fiercely  across  the  marsh. 

A^^^  impossible  for  Zermah  to  quit  the  wigwam 

aUn^uT  ""^^^  perhaps  it  would  n™ 

through.  '       "^^^^  ^  ^""^^  ^^"^  ^''^ 

Ten  o^dock  came,  and  nothing  was  heard  outside  but 


238 


texab's  eevenge. 


the  moaning  of  the  storm.    Texar  and  Squambo  were 
asleep.    The  hounds  hiding  under  one  of  the  thickets  no 
longer  prowled  round  the  dwelling. 
The  moment  was  favourable. 

While  Dj  lay  sleeping  on  the  couch  of  herbs,  Zermah 
begân  to  pull  away  quietly  the  straw  and  reeds  in  the  side 
wall  of  the  wigwam. 

At  the  end  of  an  hour  the  hole  was  only  large  enough 
for  the  girl  to  get  through,  and  she  was  making  it  larger 
when  a  noise  suddenly  stopped  her. 

The  noise  came  from  far  out  in  the  darkness,  and  was 
the  barking  of  the  hounds  announcing  some  arrival.  Texar 
and  Squambo,  suddenly  awakened,  got  up,  and  hurriedly 
went  out. 

Voices  were  heard.  Evidently  a  troop  of  men  had 
reached  the  opposite  bank  of  the  channel.  Zermah  must 
for  the  present  give  up  her  attempt  at  flight. 

Soon,  in  spite  of  the  tumult  of  the  storm,  it  was  easy  to 
distinguish  the  sound  of  many  footsteps.  Zermah  listened. 
What  was  happening?  Had  Providence  taken  pity  on 
her  ?  Had  the  help  come  on  which  she  had  not  dared  to 
reckon  ? 

No,  and  she  knew  it  could  not  be  so,  for  there  was  no 
sound  of  a  struggle  as  the  channel  was  crossed,  no  reports 
of  firearms.  It  was  a  reinforcement  that  had  arrived  at 
Carneral  Island. 

A  minute  afterwards  Zermah  saw  two  persons  enter  the 
wigwam.  The  Spaniard  was  accompanied  by  another  man 
who  could  not  be  Squambo,  for  the  Indian's  voice  could 
be  heard  outside  on  the  bank  of  the  channel. 

Two  men  were,  however,  iii  the  room.  They  had  begun 
to  talk  in  a  low  voice,  when  they  suddenly  stopped.  One 
of  them,  lantern  in  hand,  came  towards  Zermah's  room, 
and  she  had  only  just  time  to  throw  herself  on  the  bed  so 
as  to  hide  the  hole  in  the  wall. 

Texar,  for  it  was  he,  opened  the  door,  looked  round  the 
room,  saw  the  half-breed  apparently  asleep  by  the  side  of 
the  child,  and  retired. 

Zermah  then  took  her  place  behind  the  door  he  had 
shut.  If  she  could  not  see  or  recognize  the  strange  man, 
she  could  hear  all  that  passed. 

And  this  is  what  she  heard. 


WHAT  ZEBMAH  OVEEHEABD. 


239 


CHAPTER  XII. 

WHAT  ZEEMAH  OVERHEARD. 

*^You,  at  Carneral  Island 

Yes.    I  have  been  here  for  some  hours/^ 
"  I  thought  you  were  at  Adamsville,  near  Lake  Apop- 

ka 

"  I  was  there  a  week  ago." 
"  And  why  have  you  come  here 
Because  I  had  to  do  so/^ 

We  ought  never  to  meet,  you  know,  except  in  the 
marsh  at  Black  Creek,  and  then  only  after  you  have  writ- 
ten to  tell  me  \" 

^'But  I  had  to  beat  a  hurried  retreat,  and  escape  to  the 
Everglades/' 

^^Whyr 

'^I  am  going  to  tell  you." 
"But  is  there  no  risk  of  our  being  found  out  V 
"No  !    I  came  in  the  dark,  and  none  of  your  slaves 
saw  me/' 

Zermah  listened,  but  she  could  not  up  to  this  point 
make  out  the  meaning  of  the  conversation,  nor  could  she 
imagine  who  was  the  wigwam's  unexpected  guest.  There 
were  certainly  two  men  talking;  and  yet  it  seemed  as 
though  it  was  only  one  man  who  questioned  and  answered. 
The  voice  was  the  same;  the  accent  was  the  same;  the 
words  seemed  to  come  from  the  same  mouth.  In  vain 
Zermah  tried  to  look  through  a  crack  in  the  door.  The 
room  was  lighted  but  feebly,  and  remained  in  a  half- 
shadow  which  prevented  the  least  object  from  being  dis- 
tinguished. The  half-breed  had  therefore  to  content  her- 
self with  listening  as  intently  as  possible  to  a  conversation 
which  might  be  of  extreme  importance  for  her. 

After  a  moment's  silence  the  two  men  had  continued  as 
follows.  Evidently  it  was  Tç^ar  who  asked  the  first  ques- 
tion, ^ 


240 


TEXAR*S  REVENGE. 


You  have  not  come  alone?" 
"  Ko;  some  of  our  men  came  with  me  to  the  Ever- 
glades." 

"How  many?" 
"Forty." 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  that  they  will  find  out  what  we 
have  kept  secret  from  them  for  so  long?" 

"'  No.  They  will  never  see  us  together.  When  they 
leave  Oarneral  Island  they  will  have  learnt  nothing,  and 
the  plan  of  our  life  will  in  no  way  be  changed." 

And  Zermah  thought  she  could  hear  the  clasp  of  the 
hands  as  they  met  in  token  of  continued  friendship. 

Then  the  conversation  was  resumed. 

"  What  has  happened  since  Jacksonville  was  taken?" 

"A  serious  business.  You  know  that  Dupont  took 
possession  of  St.  Augustine?" 

"  Yes,  I  know;  and  you,  I  suppose,  know  whyl  know?" 

"Yes!  The  story  of  the  Fernandina  train  came  in 
handy  to  allow  you  to  establish  the  aliM  that  forced  the 
court  to  acquit  you." 

"  Which  did  not  quite  suit  them!  Bah!  It  is  not  the 
first  time  we  have  got  off  like  that." 

"  And  it  won't  be  the  last.  But  do  you  know  what 
the  Federals  are  after  in  occupying  St.  Augustine?  It 
was  not  so  much  to  hjold  the  capital  of  St.  John's 
county  as  to  organize  the  blockade  of  the  Atlantic  coast." 

"So  I  heard." 

"  Well,  to  watch  the  coast  from  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
John's  to  the  Bahamas  did  not  seem  to  be  enough  for 
Dupont,  and  he  resolved  to  follow  up  contraband  of  war 
into  the  interior  of  Florida.  So  he  sent  off  two  boats' 
crews.    Have  you  heard  of  this?" 

"No." 

"But  when  did  you  leave  Black  Creek?  Some  days 
after  you  were  acquitted?" 

"  Yes!    The  22nd  of  this  month." 
"  This  took  place  on  the  22nd." 

It  should  be  remembered  that  Zermah  knew  nothing  of 
the  ambuscade  at  Kissimmee,  of  which  Captain  Howick 
had  spoken  to  Gilbert  at  their  meeting  in  the  forest.  So 
she,  like  the  Spaniard,  heard  for  the  first  time  how  the 
boiits  h^(î  been  tjurnt,        hardly  a  dozen  guvviyorç  had 


WHAT  zmuAQ  ormnuARî). 


241 


found  their  way  back  to  the  Commodore  with  news  of 
the  disaster. 

''Well!  well!"  exclaimed  Texar.  ''That  is  a  happy 
revenge  for  the  capture  of  Jacksonville,  and  if  we  can 
hire  those  infernal  Northerners  into  the  thick  of  Florida, 
not  one  of  them  will  get  back." 

"Not  one.  If  we  can  get  them  among  the  marshes  of 
the  Everglades.  And  we  shall  have  them  there  before 
long." 

"  What  do  you  mean?" 

"  Dupont  has  sworn  to  avenge  the  death  of  his  officers 
and  sailors,  and  a  new  expedition  has  been  sent  out  to 
the  south  of  St.  John's  county." 

"The  Federals  are  coming  from  that  quarter?" 

"  Yes,  but  more  numerous  and  better  armed,  and  well 
on  their  guard  against  ambuscades." 

"  Have  you  met  them?" 

"No,  for  our  people  are  not  in  force  now,  and  we  have 
had  to  retreat.  But,  as  we  retired  we  drew  them  on  after 
us.  When  we  have  been  joined  by  the  militia  who  are 
somewhere  about,  we  will  fall  on  them,  and  not  one  shall 
escape." 

"  Where  did  they  come  from?" 

"  Mo.quito  Inlet." 

"  Which  way  did  they  come?" 

"  Through  the  cypress  grove." 

"  Where  are  they  now?" 

"  About  forty  miles  from  Carneral  Island." 

"  Good,"  said  Texar.  '•  We  must  get  them  further 
south,  for  there  is  not  a  day  to  lose  in  concentrating  the 
militia.  If  necessary,  we  must  be  off  to-morrow  to  the 
shore  of  the  Bahama  Channel." 

"  And  from  there,  if  we  are  pressed  before  we  can  col- 
lect our  friends,  we  will  find  a  safe  retreat  in  the  English 
islands." 

The  different  matters  alluded  to  in  this  conversation 
were  of  the  greatest  interest  to  Zermah.  If  Texar  de- 
cided to  leave  the  island,  would  he  take  the  prisoners  with 
him,  or  would  he  leave  them  at  the  wigwam  in  charge  of 
Squambo?  In  that  case  it  would  be  better  not  to  attempt 
to  escape  until  after  the  Spaniard's  departure.  Then  she 
might,  perhaps,  have  a  better  chance  of  success,-  And 


242 


perhaps  the  Federal  expedition  then  in  Lower  î^lorida 
might  reach  Lake  Okee-cho-bee,  in  sight  of  Carneral 
Island. 

But  these  hopes  vanished  almost  as  soon  as  they  rose. 
For  the  next  question  that  was  asked  was,  what  was  to  be 
done;  with  the  half-breed  and  child,  and  to  it  Texar  an- 
swered, without  hesitation, 

"  I  shall  take  them  with  me,  if  necessary,  to  the  Ba- 
hamas." 

But  will  the  little  girl  bear  the  discomforts  of  the 
voyage?" 

'*Yes!  I  will  answer  for  that;  and  besides,  Zermah 
knows  how  she  can  avoid  them!"^ 
"  But  if  the  child  were  to  die?" 

"  I  had  rather  have  her  dead  than  give  her  back  to  her 
father!" 

Ah!  you  are  a  good  hater  of  these  Burbahks!" 
As  good  as  you  are!" 

Zermah  could  hardly  contain  herself,  and  was  on  the 
point  of  throwing  open  the  door  and  meeting  face  to  face 
these  two  men,  who  were  so  like  to  each  other,  not  only 
in  voice,  but  in  evil  instinct  and  want  of  conscience  and 
heart.  But  she  controlled  herself.  Better  hear  to  the 
end  what  Texar  and  his  accomplice  had  to  say.  When 
their  talk  was  at  an  end  perhaps  they  would  sleep!  Then 
there  might  be  time  to  escape  before  they  left  the  island. 

Evidently  the  Spaniard  was  in  the  position  of  one  who 
had  everything  to  learn  from  him  he  was  talking  to. 
And  so  he  continued  to  question  him. 

"What  news  is  there  from  the  north?" 

"Nothing  of  much  importance.  Unfortunately,  it 
seems  as  though  the  Federals  were  getting  the  best  of  it, 
and  that  the  slave  cause  is  done  for." 

"Bah!"  said  Texar,  in  a  tone  of  indifference. 

"  Well,  we  are  neither  for  South  nor  N"orth,  really,  are 
we?" 

"No.  The  only  thing  is,  while  they  are  at  each  other's 
throats  to  be  always  on  the  side  where  most  is  to  be 
gained." 

In  this  remark  Texar  revealed  his  true  character.  The 
two  men  fished  in  the  troubled  water  of  civil  war  only 
for  what  they  could  catch. 


WHAT  ËERMAH  OVERHEARD. 


248 


^'But,"  said  Texar,  "what  has  happened  in  Florida 
during  the  last  week?" 

"Nothing  that  you  do  not  know.  Stevens  remains 
master  of  the  St.  John^s  up  to  Picolata." 

"  And  he  does  not  seem  to  care  to  come  further  down?" 

"No;  the  gunboats  have  not  been  sent  to  the  south  of 
the  county.  And  I  fancy  the  occupation  of  this  river 
will  soon  end,  and  that  the  Confederates  will  get  back  the 
command  of  the  whole  stream." 

"How?" 

"There  is  a  rumour  that  Dupont  intends  to  abandon 
Florida,  and  leave  two  or  three  ships  to  blockade  the 
coast." 

"Can  that  be  possible?" 

"They  are  talking  about  it;  and  if  so,  St.  Augustine 
will  soon  be  evacuated." 
"And  Jacksonville?" 
"Jacksonville,  too." 

"  Then  I  can  go  back,  get  the  committee  together  again, 
and  resume  the  place  the  Federals  pushed  me  from! 
Ah!  my  northerners,  if  I  come  back,  you  will  see  how  1 
will  treat  you  !" 

"That  is  so." 

"And  if  James  Burbank  and  his  people  have  not 
cleared  out  of  Camdless  Bay  they  will  not  again  escape 
me." 

"  That  is  right.  All  that  you  have  suffered  from  them 
I  have  suffered  with  you.  What  you  wish,  I  wish  !  what 
you  hate,  I  hate!    The  two  of  us  are  but  as  one." 

"Yes  !  as  one  !"  replied  Texar. 

The  conversation  stopped  for  an  instant.  The  clink 
of  the  glasses  told  Zermah  that  the  Spaniard  and  the  other 
man  were  drinking  together.  Zermah  was  thunderstruck. 
To  listen  to  them  it  seemed  as  though  these  two  men  had 
had  an  equal  hand  in  every  crime  committed  during  the 
last  few  years  in  Florida,  and  more  particularly  in  those 
against  the  Burbank  family.  She  learned  much  as  she 
listened  to  them  for  another  half-hour,  and  all  the  time 
the  same  voice  gave  question  and  answer,  as.  if  Texar  were 
alone  and  talking  to  himself.  Here  was  a  mystery  which 
the  half-breed  had  the  greatest  interest  in  discovering. 
But  if  the  villains  knew  that  Zermah  had  heard  some  of 


244 


texab's  revenge. 


their  secrets  would  they  not  settle  the  danger  by  killing 
her  ?  And  what  would  become  of  the  child  when  Zermah 
was  dead  ? 

It  was  about  eleven  o'clock.  The  weather  continued 
terrible  ;  wind  and  rain  blew  and  fell  without  ceasing. 
Assuredly  Texar  and  his  companion  would  not  leave  their 
shelter'.  They  would  pass  the  night  in  the  wigwam,  and 
do  nothing  till  the  morning. 

And  Zermah's  doubts  ended  when  Texar's  accomplice 
—who  ought  to  have  been  Texar  himself— asked,— 

"  Well,  what  shall  we  do  ?" 

"  This,''  said  the  Spaniard.  "  To-morrow  morning  we 
will  go  with  our  men  and  reconnoitre  round  the  lake. 
We  will  explore  the  cypress  grove  for  three  or  four  miles, 
after  sending  on  in  advance  those  who  know  it  best,  par- 
ticularly Squambo.  If  there  are  no  signs  of  the  approach 
of  the  Federal  detachment,  we  will  return  and  wait  till  it 
is  time  to  retreat.  If  there  is  danger,  we  will  get  together 
our  partisans  and  my  slaves,  and  I  will  take  Zermah  off 
to  the  Bahama  Channel  while  you  concentrate  the  militia 
in  Lower  Florida." 

Agreed,"  said  the  other  ;  "  while  you  reconnoitre  I 
will  hide  in  the  woods  on  the  island.  It  will  not  do  for 
us  to  be  seen  together." 

"No!  certainly  not!"  said  Texar.  "We  must  keep 
from  any  imprudence  that  would  reveal  our  secret.  Do 
not  come  back  here  till  to-morrow  night  ;  and,  if  I  am 
obliged  to  go  off  during  the  day,  do  not  leave  the  island 
till  I  have  got  clear  away.    Meet  me,  then  at  Cape  Sable." 

Zermah  then  saw  that  she  could  not  be  rescued  by  the 
Federals.  If  in  the  morning  their  approach  was  discov- 
ered, the  Spaniard  would  not  leave  the  island  without 
her.  She  could  only  be  saved  by  her  own  efforts,  great 
as  was  the  danger.  Escape  under  such  difficult  circum- 
stances was  almost  impossible. 

But  with  what  courage  would  she  have  attempted  it 
had  she  known  that  James  Burbank,  Gilbert,  Mars  and 
his  companions  at  the  plantation  were  on  their  way  to 
deliver  her  from  Texar  ;  that  her  letter  had  told  them 
where  to  look  for  her  ;  that  already  Mr.  Burbank  was  up 
the  St.  John's,  beyond  Lake  Washington;  that  the 
greater  part  of  the  cypress  grove  had  been  crossed  ;  that 


WtiÀ'r  ZEEMAH  oveehêaMo.  ,  24S 

the  little  band  from  Camdless  Bay  had  been  joined  by 
the  detachment  under  Captain  Howick;  that  it  was 
Texar  whom  they  looked  upon  as  the  author  of  The 

Wed  tn'/\?'''TT' ^^'^  scoundrel  was  to  be 
hunted  to  death  and  that  he  would  be  shot  on  the  spot 
if  they  could  only  get  hold  of  him  '  ^ 

l,«l^"L^f™''''  ''"f  V^i^'^S  of  this.  She  could  wait  for 
he  p  no  longer  And  she  resolved  to  risk  everything  to 
get  away  from  Carnaral  Island.  eveiyi,niug  to 

But  she  must  wait  for  twenty-four  hours  before  she 
made  her  attempt,  although  the  iight  was  very  dark  and 
favourable  for  her  chance  of  escape    The  men  who  had 

ifZm  *1hë  ^'^'^r  r""'  ''''''  an  round  the 
wigwam.    She  could  hear  them  walking  about  on  the 

feT"."^""^  and  talking.    If  her  attempt  failed, Tf  her 
plan  was  discovered,  she  would  be  worse  o4  than  she  wa^ 
Sfï^^l'*^  «^''"^^  for  his  violence.  ' 

„nt  th!  Q  "l?"®  ^'f^'P*  ''«"«r  to-morrow  ?  Had 
Zn  ÏL^rî'^''^  T'^  companions,  his  slavesT 

even  the  Indian   Squambo,  would  accompany  him  to 

com°e  out  of  th^i',  ^f'^''"'  "t^^"".*  •  ^""^^  JornèSing 
come  out  of  this  to  increase  her  chance,  of  getting  awav^ 

I  j^  TJu  ^"^"^^  "•'annel  without  beilgle/n" 
safe  ''st  con  d7'^'  '^'.^'^  she  wo^uW  bê 

hanàs     CaZ  n  "'^^       ?Sain  fall  into  Texar's 

nanas.    Captain  Howick  could  not  be  far  off.    If  he  was 

IhlZ'f^  .'T''^'  t^'  Okee-cho-bee,  was  there  nol  a 
chance  that  she  might  meet  with  him  ' 

Better,  therefore,  wait  for  to-morrow!    But  hardlv  had 

she  so  decided,  than  something  happened  that  at  once 

swe^t  away  the  scaffold  on  which  ^er  last  hopes  were 

There  came  a  knock  at  the  wigwam  door.     It  was 

^"Zt'  v^^  T^t  ï"'^^"  '^'^«^û  to  "taster, 
inter!"  said  the  Spaniard. 

Squambo  came  in. 

"'k^J^       TJ  """iT  ?"  asked. 

aW"  ^  ^""^  ^"o^  at  the  least 

will  do  so,"  said  Squambo. 
in  the  WtT  '""^'^g^^^"!  reconnoitre  for  some  miles 


'  '  The  half -breed  and  Dy  ?"  " 
Will  be  under  guard  as  usual.    See  that  no  one  dis- 
turbs us  here." 
Right." 

What  are  the  men  doing?"  .       4.  w 

"  Walking  about.    None  of  them  seem  to  care  to  rest. 

See  that  none  get  far  away.". 
''None  shall  go." 
"  What  is  the  weather  like?" 

"  Not  so  bad  as  it  was.  .  The  rain  has  stopped,  and  the 
wind  will  soon  drop." 
''Good." 

Zermah  had  listened  to  all  this.  The  conversation  was 
evidently  nearing  its  end,  when  a  stifled  sigh,  a  sort  of 
rattle,  made  itself  heard. 

Zermah^s  blood  flowed  back  to  her  heart.  She  rose, 
rushed  to  the  bed  of  herbs,  and  bent  over  the  httle 
2'irl. 

Dy  had  just  awoke,  and  in  what  a  state!  A  choking, 
husky  breath  was  escaping  from  her  lips.  Her  little  hands 
were  beating  the  air,  as  if  she  sought  to  drag  it  into  her 
mouth.    Zermah  could  just  hear  the  words,— 

'•  Drink!  water!" 

The  child  was  being  suffocated.  She  must  be  taken 
into  the  air  at  once.  In  the  darkness  Zermah,  distracted, 
took  her  in  her  arms  to  revive  her  with  her  own  breath. 
She  felt  her  struggle  in  a  convulsion.  She  uttered  a  cry 
—she  burst  open  the  door  of  the  room. 

Two  men  were  there,  standing  before  Squambo.  But 
so  like  were  they  in  face  and  build  that  Zermah  could  not 
tell  which  of  them  was  Texar. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

ADOUBLELIFE. 

A  FEW  words  will  sufiice  to  explain  that  which  has 
hitherto  seemed  inexplicabJe  in  this  story. 

The  men  before  whom  Zermah  had  suddenly  appeared 
were  twins. 

Where  they  were  born  they  themselves  did  not  know. 
Probably  their  birthplace  was  some  village  of  Texas— 
whence  the  name  of  Texar  by  merely  changing  a  letter. 
_  Texas,  it  will  be  remembered,  is  an  extensive  tern  tory, 
situated  in  the  south  of  the  United  States,  and  on  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico.  After  revolting  against  the  Mexicans,  Texas 
assisted  by  the  United  States  in  its  woi-k  of  independence 
was  annexed  to  the  Union  in  1845,  under  the  présidence 
of  John  Tyler. 

It  was  about  fifteen  years  before  this  annexation  that 
two  children  were  found  abandoned  in  a  village  on  the 
Texan  coast,  and  were  taken  care  of  and  brought  up  by 
public  charity. 

Attention  was  first  directed  to  the  children  on  account 
of  their  marvellous  resemblance.  They  had  the  same 
gestures,  the  same  voice,  the  same  attitudes,  the  same 
physiognomy,  and  it  may  be  added  the  same  instincts  tes- 
tifying to  a  precocious  perversity.  We  know  not  how 
they  were  educated,  nor  what  instruction  they  received, 
nor  to  what  family  they  belonged,  unless  it  was  to  one  of 
those  who  roamed  about  the  country  after  the  declaration 
of  independence. 

As  soon  as  the  brothers  Texar  thought  they  could  sup- 
port themselves,  they  disappeared.  This  was  when  they 
were  about  twelve  years  old.  They  then  took  to  a  life  of 
thieving  among  the  fields  and  farms,  stealing  bread  in 
one  place,  fruit  in  another,  ending  at  length  in  highway 
robbery.  Then  they  ceased  to  be  seen  in  the  Texan 
villages  m  the  company  of  lawbreakers,  who,  even  in 


m 


those  early  days,  had  put  their  strange  resemblance  toao 


forgotten  even  by  name.  And  although  the  name  be- 
came notorious  enough  in  Florida,  nothing  happened  to 
show  that  they  had  passed  their  early  years  in  the  coast 
districts  of  Texas. 

But  how  was  it  that  after  their  disappearance  no  one 
knew  that  there  were  two  ïexars?  It  was  on  this  igno- 
rance that  their  plans  had  been  built.  As  was  ascertained 
later  on  when  the  duality  was  discovered  and  proved,  the 
brothers  for  twenty  or  thirty  years  lived  apart.  Fortune 
they  sought  in  all  ways;  but  they  did  not  meet  again 
except  at  rare  intervals  away  from  observation,  either  in 
America,  or  wherever  their  search  after  fortune  led 
them. 

One  of  them — which  it  was  not  known,  though  it  was 
probably  both — engaged  in  the  slave  trade.  They  brought 
cargoes  of  slaves  from  the  coasts  of  Africa  to  the  Southern 
States  of  the  Union,  acting  as  intermediaries  between  the 
merchants  on  the  coast  and  the  captains  of  the  ships  em- 
ployed in  the  inhuman  traffic. 

i)id  their  trade  prosper?  We  do  not  know.  But  prob- 
ably not;  for  it  diminished  rapidly,  and  was  finally  put 
a  stop  to  when  the  slave  trade  was  denounced  as  a  barbar- 
ism, and  gradually  abolished  by  the  civilized  world. 

The  brothers  had  not  made  their  fortune,  and  they  re- 
solved to  do  so  at  any  price.  It  was  then  they  resolved 
to  avail  themselves  of  their  extraordinary  resemblance. 

It  often  happens  that  such  a  resemblance  dies  away  as 
the  children  grow  to  manhood.  But  this  was  not  the 
case  with  the  Texars.  The  older  they  got,  the  more  their 
physical  and  moral  resemblance  increased.  It  was  im- 
possible to  distinguish  one  from  the  other  either  by  his 
face  or  his  figure  or  his  gestures  or  voice.  And  resolving 
to  take  advantage  of  this  natural  peculiarity,  they  entered 
upon  a  hateful  career  of  crime,  intending  if  one  was  caught 
to  establish  an  alibi  by  means  of  the  other.  When  one 
went  off  to  commit  some  act  that  would  bring  him  within 
reach  of  the  law,  the  other  would  show  himself  in  public, 
so  that  all  criminating  evidence  would  fail.  Of  course, 
they  never  allowed  themselves  to  be  taken  in  the  act,  for 
then  no  alibi  could  have  been  pleaded. 


The  Texar  brothers  were  soon 


À  DOUBLE  LIFE. 


249 


Having  drawn  up  their  programme  the  twins  came  to 
Florida,  where  neither  of  them  was  known,  the  attraction 
being  the  numerous  opportunities  offered  in  a  state  where 
the  Indians  still  carried  on  a  struggle  against  the  Ameri- 
cans and  the  Spaniards. 

It  was  about  1850  or  1851  that  Texar  appeared  in  the 
Floridan  peninsula— Texar,  not  the  Texars,  be  it  under- 
stood, for  it  was  their  intention  never  to  be  seen  together, 
never  to  be  on  the  same  day  in  the  same  place. 

Hiding  themselves  thus  under  a  complete  incognito, 
they  found  a  retreat  that  was  quite  as  mysterious.  This 
was  in  Black  Creek  which  they  discovered  in  one  of 
their  explorations  of  the  St.  John's.  There  they  brought 
a  few  slaves,  to  whom  their  secret  was  not  revealed. 
Squambo  alone  knew  the  mystery  of  their  double  exist- 
ence. The  confidant  was  worthy  of  his  masters,  whom 
he  served  with  unequalled  devotion  and  discretion,  and 
pitilessly  executed  their  commands. 

Never,  it  need  scarcely  be  said,  did  they  appear  to- 
gether at  Black  Creek.  When  they  wished  to  consult  on 
any  matter  they  wrote  to  each  other.  We  have,  in  fact, 
seen  their  post-office.  A  letter  was  slipped  into  the  stalk 
of  a  leaf,  snd  the  leaf  was  fixed  to  the  branch  of  a  tulip- 
tree  in  the  neighbouring  marsh.  This  means  never  failed 
them.  Every  day  Squambo  cautiously  visited  the  tree. 
If  he  was  the  bearer  of  a  letter  from  the  Texar  then  at 
Black  Creek  he  fixed  it  to  the  branch  of  a  tulip-tree.  If 
the  letter  had  been  written  by  the  other  brother  the  In- 
dian found  it  in  the  usual  place  and  took  it  back  to  the 
blockhouse. 

After  their  arrival  in  Florida  the  Texars  leagued  them- 
selves with  all  that  was  bad  among  the  population.  Many 
of  the  criminal  classes  became  their  accomplices  in  the 
numerous  robberies  that  then  took  place,  and  these  be- 
came their  accomplices  later  on  when  the  war  brought  them 
to  the  front  in  political  matters.  But  although  some- 
times one  and  sometimes  another  took  the  lead  in  these 
matters,  their  companions  never  knew  that  there  were 
two  Texars.  Thus  it  was  that  an  alihi  was  always  forth- 
coming when  a  Texar  was  brought  to  answer  for  his 
crimes.  Thus  it  was  that  although  James  Burbank  and 
Z^mah  had  positively  recognized  the  Spaniard  as  the 


250 


Texas's  revenge. 


author  ot  the  fire^,  he  had  been  acquitted  by  the  tribunal 
at  St.  Augustine,  for  numerous  witnesses  swore  that  at 
the  time  of^the  crime  he  was  in  Torillo^s  tienda  at  Jack- 
sonville. And  so  it  was  regarding  the  attack  on  Camdless 
Bay.  How  could  Texar  be  leading  the  assault  at  Castle 
House/  or  carrying  away  Zermah  and  Dy  when  he  was 
one  of  the  prisoners  made  by  the  Federals  at  Fernandina, 
and  then  in  safe  keeping  on  one  of  the  gunboats  ? 

And  even  admitting  that  the  duality  of  Texar  was 
known,  how  could  they  tell  which  of  them  was  the  cul- 
prit ?  Were  there  not  in  fact  two  who  were  guilty  ? 
Should  not  the  justly-merited  punishment  fall  on  both  ? 

At  Jacksonville  it  was  probable  that  both  brothers  had 
in  turn  played  the  same  part  after  the  outbreak.  When 
Texar  No.  1  absented  himself  on  some  agreed  expedition, 
Texar  No.  2  would  take  his  place  without  the  people  be- 
ing aware  of  the  change.  They  thus  took  an  equal  part 
in  the  excesses  then  committed  against  the  colonists  of 
Northern  birth  and  the  Southern  planters  holding  anti- 
slavery  opinions. 

Both  were  aware  of  what  passed  in  the  Central  States 
of  the  Union,  where,  as  in  Florida,  civil  war  underwent 
such  unexpected  changes  in  fortune;  bot-h  had  aéquired 
great  influence  over  the  lower  class  of  whites,  and  over  the 
Spaniards,  and  even  the  American  slave  partisans.  Their 
correspondence  was  considerable,  and  their  meetings  in 
out-of-the-way  places  were  many,  to  enable  them  to 
conduct  their  operations  and  prepare  their  future  alibis. 

It  was  while  one  was  in  the  hands  of  the  Federals  that 
the  other  organized  the  expedition  at  Camdless  Bay. 
And  we  know  how  they  had  turned  this  to  account  at  the 
court-martial  at  St.  Augustine. 

Age,  as  it  has  been  said,  confirmed  and  increased  the 
resemblance  between  the  brothers  ;  but  it  was  possible 
that  an  accident  or  a  wound  might  alter  that  resemblance. 
For  instance,  in  a  night-attack  some  time  after  their 
arrival  in  Florida,  one  of  the  Texars  had  his  beard  burnt 
by  a  rifle  fired  at  hjm  point  blank.  Immediately  the  other 
shaved  his  beard  so  as  to  be  like  his  brother,  a  fact  that 
was  mentioned  in  tlie  early  part  of  this  history. 

Another  fact  requires  explanation.  It  will  not  have  been 
forgotten  th^t  one  night  while  she  was  at  Blac]^  Orçek 


A  DOUBLE  LIFE. 


251 


Zerman  saw  the  Spaniard's  arm  tattooed.  The  reason 
was  that  his  brother  had  been  captured  by  a  band  of 
Seminoles,  and  had  been  so  indelibly  marked  on  his  left 
arm.  Immediately  a  tracing  of  the  device  was  sent  to  the 
fortress  and  Squambo  set  to  work,  so  that  the  identity 
continued  absolute. 

In  fact  if  Texar  Ko.  1  had  happened  to  lose  a  limb, 
Texar  No.  2  would  have  submitted  to  amputation  to  re- 
semble him. 

For  twelve  years  the  Texar  brothers  lived  this  double 
life,  but  with  such  skill  and  prudence  that  justice  was  set 
,  at  defiance. 

Had  the  twins  grown  rich  at  this  trade  ?  Yes,  in  a 
certain  measure.  A  considerable  sum  of  money  saved  from 
the  proceeds  of  pillage  and  theft  had  been  hidden  in  a 
secret  redoubt  of  the  blockhouse  at  Black  Creek,  but  as 
a  precaution  it  had  been  taken  away  by  the  Spaniard 
when  hé  started  for  Oarneral  Island,  and  we  may  rest 
assured  he  would  not  leave  it  behind  him  if  he  went  to 
the  Bahamas. 

When  the  twins  learnt  that  Commodore  Dupont  con- 
templated an  early  evacuation  of  Florida,  they  saw  that 
there  would  be  a  chance  of  further  enriching  themselves, 
and  the  ISTorthern  planters  could  be  made  to  pay  dearly  for 
the  Federal  occupation.  They  had  therefore  resolved  to 
keep  on  the  watch.  Once  they  were  back  at  Jacksonville, 
with  the  help  of  their  partisans  and  the  Southerners  in 
league  with  them,  they  could  resume  the  position  which 
a  riot  had  given  them  once  and  could  give  them  again. 

And  besides  this  they  had  a  means  of  acquiring  wealth 
almost  beyond  their  desires.  They  had  only  to  listen  to 
the  proposition  Zermah  had  made  to  one  of  them  ;  they 
had  only  to  return  Dy  to  her  parents.  James  Burbank 
would  have  given  his  fortune  as  his  child's  ransom.  He 
would  have  undertaken  to  make  no  complaint  or  instigate 
any  pursuit  against  the  Spaniard.  But  among  the  Texars 
hate  was  stronger  than  self-interest.  They  wished  to  be 
revenged  on  the  Burbanks  before  they  left  Florida. 

Such  is  all  that  need  be  said  about  the  history  of  the 
brothers  Texar.    We  can  now  resume  our  story. 

When  Zermah  suddenly  found  herself  in  their  presence, 
she  understood  all.     The  past  instantly  rushed  back 


252 


texar's  eevenge. 


through  her  mind.  In  astonishment  she  looked  at  the  men — motion- 
less as  if  rooted  in  the  ground,  holding  the  little  girl  in  her  arms.  For- 
tunately the  air  in  the  room  was  abundant,  and  all  fear  of  the  child's 
suffocation  had  gone.  Her  appearance  before  the  brothers,  her  discov- 
ery of  the  secret  of  their  lives,  meant,  she  well  knew,  sentence  of  death. 
CHAPTER  XIV. 

ZEBMAH    AT  WOBK. 

The.  Texars  were  furious  at  Zermah's  interruption.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  Squambo,  never  before  since  their  childhood  had  a  third 
person  seen  them  together.  And  this  persoii  was  their  mortal 
enemy.  Their  first  impulse  was  to  hurl  themselves  at  her  and  mur- 
der her,  so  as  to  save  the  secret  of  their  double  life.  The  child 
raised  herself  in  Zermah's  arms;  and  holding  out  her  little  hands, 
she  cried:  "  I  am  afraid  !  I  am  afraid  !"  At  a  gesture  from  the  two 
brothers  Squambo  stepped  roughly  up  to  the  half-breed,  took  her  by 
the  shoulder,  and  pushed  her  back  into  her  room  and  shut  the  door. 
Then  Squambo  returned  to  the  brothers.  His  attitude  told  them 
they  had  only  to  command  for  him  to  obey.  But  the  interruption 
had  been  so  unexpected  that  it  had  troubled  them  more  than  might 
be  supposed.  They  seemed  to  consult  each  other  with  a  look.  Zer- 
mah  had  thrown  herself  into  a  corner  of  the  room,  after  laying  the 
little  girl  on  one  of  the  beds.  Her  self-possession  returned  to  her; 
and  she  went  to  the  door  to  hear  what  was  passing.  In  a  moment 
her  fate  would  probably  be  decided.  But  the  Texats  and  Squambo 
had  just  gone  out  of  the  hut,  and  were  no  longer  within  earshot. 
And  this  is  what  they  were  saying:  "Zermah  must  die."  "She 
must  !  If  she  escapes,  or  if  the  Federals  get  hold  of  her,  we  are 
lost  !  She  must  die  !"  "  This  moment  !"  said  Squambo.  And  knife 
in  hand  he  had  turned  to  go  to  the  hut,  when  one  of  the  Texars 
stopped  him.  "  Wait,"  said  he.  It  will  always  be  time  enough  to 
put  Zermah  out  of  the  way;  and  we  have  need  of  her  to  take  care  of 
the  youngster.  Let  us  first  see  how  we  stand.  A  detachment  of 
Northerners  is  now  in  the  cypress  grove.  Let  us  take  a  careful  look- 
out round  the  lake,  for  there  is  no  proof  as  yet  that  the  detachment 
is  coming  this  way.  If  it  is  coming  we  shall  have  time  to  get  away; 
if  it  is  not  coming  we  can  stop  here  and  let  it  get  deeper  into  the 
wilds  of  Florida,  when  it  will  be  at  our  mercy.  We  shall  have  time 
to  muster  the  militia  and  cut  off  the  Federal  retreat.  Some  escaped 
from  Kissimmee,  but  none  will  escape  here."  This  was  obviously 
the  best  thing  to  do  under  the  circumstances.  A  large  number  of 
Southerners  were  in  the  neighborhood,  only  waiting  for  an  opportu- 
nity to  try  a  stroke  at  the  Federals.  One  of  the  Texars  could  go  out 
and  reconnoitre,  and  then  they  could  decide  either  to  remain  at 
Oarneral  Island  or  move  ofE  to  Cape  Sable.  That  could  be  done  to- 
morrow, and  Squambo  could  be  trusted  to  take  care  of  Zermah  what- 
ever might  be  result  of  the  exploration.  As  for  the  child,"  said  one 
of  the  brothers,  **it  is  our  interest  to  keep  her  alive.  She  cannot 
have  understood  as  Zermah  did,  and  she  may  be  the  price  of  our  ran- 
som should  one  of  us  fall  into  the  h  mds  of  Captain  Howick.  To  get 
back  his  daughter,  James  Burbank  would  accept  any  condition  we 
like  to  impose."  "If  Zermah  dies,"  said  the  Indian,  "are  you  not 
afraid  that  the  child  will  die  too?"  "No,  she  will  be  well  looked 
after,  and  I  can  easily  find  an  Indian  woman  to  take  the  place  of  the 
half-breed."  "  Do  so  then!  We  must  not  have  anything  to  fear  from 
Zermah,"   "  Well,  whatever  happens,  we  shall  soon  put  her  out  of 


ZERMAH   AT   WORK.  253 
was  gone  would  mIia  >5nrvi^^9    a  /i  Tu  f      out  when  Zermah 

^^^SSi^^^  ^^^^^^^ 

breed.  -And  mamma-whe^^  /'^^^thmg-notlimg  !"  said  the  half- 
you  see  thfm  ?"   "ïes  and  rtL        '"""'^^'i*  men  !  Did 

SO  alike  that  vou  cannot  ifu^Wf  I  ^  ^""^  ^'^^  brothers  Texar, 
them  that  too?"UTthe  <^^^^^^  Vt.'îuC  ^^^teli 

am  not  there,  yon  must  not  forget  it  "    "  AnV  l^^'^if-  ^ 

have  a  long  »!  w'«'.^^f/ ii!  t^JJlL^^l''       go  out,  as  we 


eaten  had  she  tried  owing  to  the  st  J.  .V''"  -r'^^^  "^^^^  °ot  ha^e 
soon  as  the  child  hr^lnii.^  y  ^  ° V^^^^^^^  As 
conch,  and  went  to  a       «^on„  k  """^^  ^^«^      t^^e  her 

and  thence  The  watehfd^^^^^^^^  ^  the  room; 

were  being  made  for  denarttTre     Zl  %  f^^^?  «ntside.  Preparations 

mustering  the  meÏÏhatCelero^o^^^^  ^^^^ 
whom  none  of  the  men  had  «15         ^  ''^^''^/^  S^^^^-  Theother, 
warn  or  in  some  cor^r  of  theTsLT''  Anf?^'  11!^^^  T  ''''  ^^g' 
who  knew  how  earXl  fV.lt  7*  A*  ^®^^t'      thought  Zermah, 

And  sheThougIt  to  hersel/^^^^^        ^         "  their  lives 

able  to  take  some  flvror  L  at  a  tL'     Z^Z^^^^^  ^''T  ^"'"^ 
.«-au  groups  and  wal.  „p       St£S%a^T  bul  .hTcoXoTsef  tS 


254 


TEXAr's  REVENGE. 


surface  of  the  water.    Texar  remained  tiU  the  last,  and  then  went  off, 
foUowedby  one  of  the  dogs,  whose  instinct  was  to  be  made  use  of 
during  the  expedition.    At  a  sound  from  his  master  the  other  hound 
returned  to  the  hut,  as  if  he  was  to  be  the  only  guard.  A  minute  after 
Zermab  saw  Texar  move  up  the  opposite  bank,  and  stop  for  an  mstant 
to  arrange  his  men.    Then,  with  Squambo  at  their  head,  and  accom- 
panied by  the  dog,  the  men  disappeared  among  the  trees.  Doubtless 
one  of  ;the  negroes  had  brought  back  the  barge,  so  that  no  one  could 
cross  over  to  the  island.    But  the  half  breed  did  not  see  this.  She, 
however,  hesitated  no  longer.   Dy  had  just  awoke.    '  '  Come  darling, 
saidZermah.    "  Where  ?"  asked  the  child.    "There!  Into  the  forestl 
Perhaps  we  shaU  find  your  father— your  brother!  You  are  not  afraid? 
"  Not  when  you  are  with  me.  '  '    Then  the  half-breed  opened  the  door 
carefully.    As  she  had  heard  no  noise  in  the  hut,  she  supposed  that 
Texar  was  not  there.    And  she  was  right.    She  sought  about  for  some 
weapon  of  defence.    On  the  table  was  one  of  those  large  knives  used 
by  the  Indians  when  hunting.    She  picked  it  up  and  hid  it  under  her 
clothes;  and  she  took  a  little  diied  meat  to  last  her  for  a  few  hours. 
But  the  time  came  for  her  to  leave  the  wigwam.    She  looked  out 
through  the  palisade  in  the  direction  of  the  channel.    There  was  not 
a  living  creature  m  sight.  The  half-breed  tried  to  open  the  outer  door. 
The  door  was  shut  from  the  outside,  and  would  not  give  way.  iben 
Zermah  went  back  to  the  hut.    There  was  only  one  thing  to  be  done 
That  was  to  make  use  of  the  hole  she  had  already  made  m  the  waU  ot 
her  sleeping-room.  The  work  was  easy.  She  had  only  to  use  her  knife 
to  cut  into  the  reeds-and  this  she  did  with  as  Uttle  noise  as  posfhla 
But  if  the  hound  that  had  not  gone  with  Texar  were  to  appear  i  Would 
he  not  throw  himself  on  her  and  the  child?   There  was,  however,  no 
time  to  hesitate.    The  hole  was  made  large  enough,  and  through  it 
ZermaJi  drew  tha  child,  whom  she  passionately  embraced  as  sne  did 
so   Dy  gave  back  kiss  for  kiss;  she  had  understood.  It  was  necessary 
to  escape  through  this  hole.    Zermah  gUded  through  and  looked  to 
the  left,  to  the  right,  and  hstened.    Not  a  sound  could  she  hear.  But 
soon  she  heard  the  bark  of  a  hound.  It  seemed  to  come  from  the  west 
of  the  island.  She  picked  up  the  child.  Her  heart  beat  ready  to  burst. 
She  could  not  think  she  was  safe  until  she  was  through  the  reeds  on 
the  opposite  river-bank.   But  to  cross  the  hundred  yards  between  the 
wigwam  and  the  stream  was  the  most  critical  part  of  the  escape. 
There  was  a  chance  of  her  being  seen  either  by  Texar  or  by  the  slaves. 
Luckily,  to  the  right  of  the  hut  was  a  thicket  of  arborescent  plants 
and  reeds,  extending  to  the  bank  of  the  channel,  a  few  yards  only 
from  the  barge.    Zermah  entered  the  thicket.     The  plants  opened  to 
give  passage  to  the  fugitives,  and  closed  behind  them.    The  backing 
of  the  dog  was  heard  no  longer.    The  way  through  the  thicket  was 
not  easy.    There  was  but  a  narrow  path  between  the  interlacing 
shrubs.    Zermah's  dress  was  in  rags,  and  her  hands  were  torn.  Little 
did  it  matter  so  long  as  the  child  was  unharmed!   The  brave  half- 
breed  uttered  no  complaint,  and  although  Dy  often  made  acquaintance 
with  the  thorns,  not  a  cry  did  she  utter.     Although  the  distMioe  was 
short,  about  sixty  yards  at  the  outside,  it  took  quite  half  an  hour  be- 
fore the  channel  was  reached.    Zermah  then  stopped,  and  through  tne 
reeds  she  looked  first  at  the  wigwam,  then  at  the  forest.  There  was  no 
one  to  be  seen.    On  the  other  bank  was  no  sign  of  Texar  and  his  com- 
panions, who  were  a  couple  of  miles  or  so  away.    Unless  they  met 
ttie  Northerners  they  would  not  be  back  for  some  hours!  But  Zerma^ 
did  not  believe  she  had  been  left  alone  in  the  hut.    It  was  not 


ZERMAH  AT  WORK.  266 

Hkely  that  one  of  the  Texars  had  gone  off  unseen  and  taken  the  doe 
.  A^"V  ^^s^^^s,  had  not  the  half-breed  heard  the  barking— a  proof 
that  the  hound  was  stiU  prowling  under  the  trees  ?  Any  moment  she 
might  ^ee  one  or  the  other  appear.  But  if  she  made  haste  she  might 
reach  the  cypress  grove.  While  she  watched  the  Spaniard's  nfen 
m  their  journey  from  bank  to  bauk  she  had  not  been  able  to  see  the 
surface  ot  the  stream,  and  she  supposed  that  the  barge  had  been 
brought  back  by  one  of  the  slaves.  Ihis  was  necessary  for  the  safety 
of  the  wigwam,  m  case  Captain  Howick  and  his  men  defeated  the 
Southerners.  But  if  the  barge  was  on  the  other  side,  so  as  to  be  ready 
to  help  in  Texars  retreat,  should  he  have  to  retreat?  If  it  were  not 
there,  would  he  not  have  to  find  another  hiding-place?  But  Zermah 
must  have  the  barge  to  get  across.  She  could  not  see  it.  Where 
could  It  be  ?  For  half  a  dozen  yards  she  glided  through  the  reeds. 
Ihen  she  stopped.  The  barge  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  channel. 
CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    TWO  BROTHBBS. 

The  position  was  critical.    How  could  she  cross  ?  The  boldest 
swimmer  could  not  do  it  without  risking  his  life  a  score  of  times. 
There  were  but  a  hundred  feet  from  bank  to  bank,  but  without  the 
boat  It  was  impossible  to  cross  them.    Triangular  heads  appeared 
every  now  and  then  above  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  the  weeds 
waved  to  let  the  reptiles  pass.    Little  Dy,  almost  dead  with  fright, 
clung  close  to  Zermah.  If  she  could  have  saved  the  child  by  throwing 
herself  into  the  thick  of  this  crowd  of  snakes,  who  would  have  closed 
on  toherhkethe^arms  of  some  giant  octopus,  the  half-breed  would 
notJiave  hesitated  for  a  moment!   But  only  some  special  intervention 
of  Providence  could  save  her.  And  Zermah  knelt  and  prayed  for  help 
Ajiy  moment  some  of  Texar's  companions  might  appear  on  the  edge 
of  the  forest    If  the  Texar  remaining  on  the  island  went  back  to  the 
wigwam  and  missed  her,  would  he  not  come  in  pursuit  ?    *'  Oh  God» 
have  pity  on  me!  "   And  as  she  prayed  she  looked  to  the  right  of  the 
channel.    A  gentle  current  was  running  through  towards  the  north  of 
the  lake,  where  a  few  affluents  of  the  smaU  river  Calaooschatches  flow 
out  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.    It  is  this  river  which  feeds  Lake  Okee- 
cho-bee  at  the  great  monthly  tides.    A  trunk  of  a  tree  came  drifting 
along  from  the  right,  and  had  just  struck  against  the  bank.  Would 
not  this  tree  afford  the  means  of  crossing  the  channel  ?  Evidently. 
In  any  case  it  Oie  tree  drifted  back  to  the  island  the  fugitives  would 
be  no  worse  off  than  they  were  now.    Without  stopping  to  think, 
Zerruah  as  if  by  instinct,  ran  to  the  floating  tree.  If  she  had  stopoed 
she  might  haye  hesitated  at  the  hundreds  of  reptiles  swarmit-g  i£  the 
water  and  the  chance  that  the  weeds  would  keep  the  trunk  motion- 
less, in  mid-channel!  Butanything  would  be  better  thanremaining  on 
,-^f!^'fK''K    ^?d  so  Zermah   with  Dy  iu  her  arms,  climbed  along 
into  the  branches  and  pushed  off  the  tree,  which  immediately  began 
to  move  off  with  the  current.    She  tried  to  hide  among  the  f  oliSge 
which  partly  covered  it.    The  banks  were  deserted.     There  was  no 
ti'^'rlf^       island  or  the  cypress  grove.  Once  across  the  channel 
the  half-breed  would  hide  away  till  night-time,  and  then  enter  the 
forest  without  being  seen.   Hope  returned  to  her.  She  scarcely  gave 
a  thought  to  the  reptiles  that  swam  open-mouthed  round  the  tree 
and  glided  over  its  lower  branches.  The  little  girl  kept  her  eyes  shut 
as  Zermah  clasped  her  to  her  breast  with  one  hand,  while  she  held 
the  kmfe  m  the  other  ready  to  defend  herself.   But  whether  it  was 


256 


THE  TEXAR's  flEVENGE. 


that  the  monsters  feared  the  sight  of  the  knife,  or  were  only  dangerous  in  th« 
water  they  made  no  attempt  to  attack  her.  At  length  the  trel  reached  the 
middle  of  the  stream  and  was  being  steadily  borne  toward  the  forest,  in  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  if  it  did  not  get  caught  in  the  weeds  it  would  ground  on  the 
*t  '  gj;?^*  ^8  ^^ere  the  dangers  she  had  to  face,  Zermah 

thought  herself  safe  from  Texar.  Suddenly  she  clasped  the  child  more  tightlr 
to  her.  There  was  a  furious  barking  on  the  island.  And  soon  afterwards  a  doe 
came  bounding  along  the  river-side.  Zèrmah  recognized  the  hound  that  thë 
Spamai-d  had  left  to  guard  the  wigwam.  With  coat  bristling  with  anger  and  eyes 
flashing  fire,  he  stood  ready  to  leap  among  the  reptiles  that  crowded  the  surface 
of  t^ie  water.  At  the  same  moment  a  man  appeared  on  the  bank.  It  was  the 
Texar  who  had  stopped  on  the  island.  Warned  by  the  dog's  bark  he  had  run  up 
to  see  what  had  happened.  His  rage  on  finding  Zermah  and  Dy  on  the  driftine 
tree  may  be  imagined.  He  could  not  follow  them,  for  the  barge  was  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  stream  Only  one  thing  could  he  do  to  stop  them,  and  that  was 
to  shoot  Zermah  at  the  nsk  of  killing  the  child.  He  had  brought  his  gun  with 
him,  and  he  did  not  hesitate  to  use  it.  He  took  careful  aim  at  the  half-breed 
who  tried  to  cover  the  child  with  her  body.  Suddenly  the  dog  in  his  mad  excite'- 
ment  jumped  into  the  water.  Texar  thought  he  had  better  wait  to  see  what  it 
could  do.  The  hound  swam  swiftly  toward  the  tree,  and  Zermah,  knife  in  hand 
was  ready.  But  it  was  not  necessary  In  a  moment  the  snakes  had  twisted 
themselves  on  to  their  prey,  and  with  a  few  bites  from  its  teeth  in  answer  to 
those  from  their  venoinous  fangs,  the  dog  had  sunk  among  the  weeds.  Texar 
saw  the  dog  die  before  he  could  help  it,  and  now  Zermah  was  escaping  them 
Die  then  !  he  exclaimed .  But  the  drifting  tree  had  now  reached  the  opposite 
bank,  and  the  bullet  only  grazed  the  half-breed's  sh'oulder.  Next  moment  the 
tree  grounded  Zermah,  carrying  the  child,  stepped  ashore  and  vanished  into  a 
t™  «r  +if^^-  f  •  ^t!'^*^  ^"^^  'ûissed.   She  had  escaped  from  the 

Texar  on  the  island,  but  she  was  now  in  danger  of  falling  into  the  hands  of 
^ioo-^?  w^.^®""  first  endeavor  was  to  get  as  far  from  Carneral  Island  as 
oîm^i    „        n  ''i?^*   ''f'"^  "^^"^^  I^ake  Washington. 

^  ^",1  ^^"^    strength    and    energy,    she    fled   along,  running 

rather  than  walking  and  carrying  the  child  in  her  arms.  Dy's  little 
legs  refused  to  run  ou  the  irregular  ground  among  the  quagmires  that  sunk  like 
traps  and  the  roots  which  grew  in  such  tangled  masses  as  to  be  impossible  for 
her.  She  did  not  seem  to  feel  the  weight  of  her  burden  Sometimes  she  stopped 
less  to  take  breath  tha  >  to  listen  to  the  sounds  of  the  forest.  Sometimes  she 
thought  she  could  hear  the  bark  of  the  other  dog  that  Texar  had  taken  with  him 
Sometimesshe  thought  she  could  hear  the  report  of  firing  in  the  distance.  And 
she  wondered  If  the  Southerners  had  come  up  with  the  Federal  detachment 
Then,  when  she  recognized  that  the  noises  were  but  the  cries  of  a,  bird  or  the 
breaking  of  some  dry  branch,  she  would  resume  her  flight,  and  full  of  hone 
think  nothing  of  the  dangers  that  threatened  her  until  she  reached  the  sources 
of  the  St  Johns.  For  an  hour  she  continued  to  leave  Lake  Okee-cho- 
bee,  making  towards  the  east,  so  as  to  approach  the  Atlantic  shore. 
It  appeared  probable  to  her  that  ships  of  the  squadron  would  be 
cruismg  off  th9  coast  in  support  of  the  detachment  under  Captain  Howick. 
Suddenly  she  stopped  This  time  there  could  be  no  mistake  A  furious  barking 
was  heard  under  the  trees,  and  it  was  coming  quickly  towards  her.  Zermah 
reco^ized  the  bark  as  one  she  had  often  heard  while  the  dogs  kept  watch  round 
the  Black  Creek  blockhouse.  "The  dog  is  on  our  track,"  thought  she.  "and 
Texar  cannot  be  far  off  "  She  looked  round  in  search  of  a  thicket,  in  which  she 
and  the  child  could  hide.  But  the  dog  was  as  intelligent  as  he  was  fierce,  and 
had  been  trained  to  slave-hunting,  would  he  not  scent  her  out?  The  barkine 
came  nearer  and  nearer,  and  shouts  could  be  heard  in  the  distance.  A  few  yards 
away  stood  an  old  cypress- tree,  hollow  with  age.  round  which  serpeutarias 
and  hanas  had  thrown  a  thick  network  of  branchlets.  Zermah  ran  to  the  hol- 
low, which  was  just  large  enough  to  hold  her  and  the  child,  while  the  network 
of  hanas  concealed  them.  But  the  dog  was  on  their  track.  A  minute  afterwards 
Zermah  saw  him  in  front  of  the  tree.  He  barked  with  reneweé  fury  aud 
sprang  at  the  cypress.  A  stab  with  the  knife  made  him  retreat;  and  he  began  tb 
bark  more  furiously  than  ever.  A  minute  or  so  afterwards  voices  were  heard 
those  of  Texar  and  Squambo,  among  others.  It  was  the  Spaniard  and  his  com- 
panions who  were  running  to  the  lake  in  an  endeavor  to  escape  from  the  Federal 
detachment  which  they  had  unexpectedly  met  in  the  cypress  grove,  and  found 
too  strong  to  resist.  Texar's  object  was  to  get  back  to  Carneral  Island  by  the 
shortest  way,  so  as  to  put  a  ring  of  water  between  the  Federals  and  himself. 
The  Federals  would  not  be  able  to  cross  it  without  a  boat.  After  a  few  hours  of 
respite  the  Southerners  could  reach  the  other  side  of  the  island,  and  when  night 
came  make  use  of  the  barge  to  land  on  the  southern  side  of  the  lake.  When 
Texar  and  Bquambo  reached  the  cypress-tree  in  front  of  which  the  dog  con- 


5dÔE  TWO  ÊROTHÈftS.  âS? 

îin^®»^®-.^*''^'*^®''^^^'^^^**  ^"""""^  ï^eâ  with  the  blood  that  flowed 
from  an  open  wouud  m  the  flank.      Lookl  look!  '  exclaimed  the  IndSu  " 

So    Ih^hin*^'/-   T^^^  ^^r^""-  .  "        mounded  by  a  knife  and  not  a  minuS 
blood  IS  stm  smoking  "    -  Who  could  have  done  t?"   And  heîe 

mushrooms  exploded  like  a  gun.  and  a  luminous  dust  cmckled  în  the  air  A? 

tS  But  yplmJ'^^'^M'  ^"f  ""Inarmed  while  the  spores  crackled  above 
tnem.   But  Zermah  could  not  escape  from  Texar    Alreadv  thp  air  nf+^r-tTJ 

had  riin  a  stnde  or  two  towards  the  lake,  when  a  gun  was  fired     He  fill  Lad 

ZVïS^lSbe^t^'r^d'r^^V''"^'^^"^"^"^^-   ^^'^  eîme  up  James 

lit.  V  ^ijbert  and  Carrol,  and  Perry,  and  Mara,  and  the  blacks  from  Camd 
ivnl^^'f"^^*?!*'"  Howick's  seamen,  who  had  made  prisoners  of  th^  So^h 

OnT/a  few  o?^ti5'r?^rh  T  ^'""^^"^  '^^"^^^      Squ^mbo's  corpse' 

umy  a  few  oi  the  men  had  escaped  towards  Oarneral  Island  Uv  was  in  w 
father  8  arms,  and  he  was  clasping  her  as  tightly  as  if  he  feared  she  was  to  b« 
again  taken  away  from  him.  Gilbert  and  Mars  were  leaning  over  Ze^iah  en 
Sn  W  hP^^Ï"  ''7r^'  ?T  '^'^^  breathed,  but  she  could  no!  speak  M?rs  held 
""t^^^^  *°        ^'^^^^  Slie  opened  her  eyes.   She  saw  the  chi  d 

¥Lfn  her  eveSds  f^-l^^'^r''^^^  ^^"^'"'"^  Msses  and  smiïed 

fs^^^'P'ttï^,,  .S  ^S!"^iiirTÏÏ*^S^°^..1C  Ma^r^^^p^t^î 
^^^^^ 

JiîmedTn '^fn^f Y'^J"^*  ^^^^^^'^^  ««ddenly!as  tïeîxinïpâxïv 

formed  up,  a  man  leaped  past  them  and  stood  bv  the  Spaniard's  side  It 

otdPT  fnrf.^"^  ?^  hesitation  in  carrying  out  the  odmmodore's  orders.  The 
whi/h  t>f.  ^"^y  referred  to  the  author  of  the  ambuscade  in 

which  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Federal  boats  had  perished    The  author  of 

tak'en  S^r/.^  ''^"'f  ^•"'.^  ^^I  ^«^^"^'^      the  cS  ought  certainly  ?o  be 

sSp^pÏ  .n^,  11^^  re-tried  at  St.  Augustiue  But  could  not  both  brothers  be  con^ 
sidered  eqiially  responsible  for  the  long  series  of  crimes  they  had  been  ableTo 

fcTtïoug^UtTeîïïo  Sit?h'f       •        '''I''  ilw  CaptaifnU^ 

best  to  put  the  foUowmg  question:  "Which  of  you  was  ffuiltv  of 
the  massacre  at  Kissimmee  ?"  There  was  no  reply  Evidentlv  the  T^xnrs  in 
ÎpÎÎ  wh-*^'*^  nothing  in  reply  to  the  questions  put  t'^  them   ZeiUh  a W  could 

îoillïSt  bTtheïutor'^ït^"*'^"^'  ^^'^^  Creek  on  tr22d  of  Ma?ch 

dav  7prT^«h  >f  ^  '''^  the  massacre  committed  a  hundred  miles  off  the  same 
she  nofdP^fnïw'î  *M  Identifying  the  man  who  carried  her  off.    But  was 

ward  In  a  vof.T  +i,^.'*  Supported  by  her  husband  she  was  seen  to  come  for- 
me off  is  tattooed  on  îh?r\1  ^^'^Ay  :  The  man  who  carried 
Si  the  îfn<f  nf  ?hf  K  V'l-  . ,  ^^'^''^  ^«''^'^  ^  of  disdain  appeared 
a?m  of  P^Ph  «  ?  M^'^^ÏT'  ^'^«fpld«^  "P  their  sleeves  and  showed  on  the  left 
one  from  t?«  ofW*/^  tattoo  mark  At  this  new  impossibility  of  distinguishing 
one  from  the  other.  Captain  Ho  wick  thought  it  was  time  to  bring  the  soeue  to  f 


m 


CÔÎÎCLtîSÏOÎÎ. 


close.  The  author  of  the  massacre  at  Kisslmmee  is  to  be  shot.  Which  of  you 

was  it?  "  I  was,"  said  both  the  brothers  together  That  was  enough.  At  the 
words  the  firing-party  took  aim.  There  was  a  flash  and  a  report,  and  hand  in 
liand  the  Texara  fell.  That  was  the  end  of  these  two  men,  whose  extraordinary 
resemblance  had  enabled  them  for  so  many  years  to  commit  crime  with  impu- 
nity. The  only  human  sentiment  they  could  be  credited  with  was  this  savage 
friendship  of  brother  to  biother  which  had  been  theirs  till  death. 

CHAPTER  XVI.— OOKCLUSION. 
Thk  civil  war  continued  with  varying  fortune.  Some  things  had  recently  hap- 
pened of  which  James  Burbankhad  not  heard  since  his  departure  from  Camdless 
Bay,  and  which  he  only  knew  when  he  got  back.  During  this  time  it  seemed  a» 
though  the  advantage  rested  with  the  Confederates  round  Corinth,  while  the 
Federals  occupied  the  position  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  The  Southern  army  had 
Johnston  as  general-in-chief,  and  under  him  were  Beauregard,  Harder,  Braxton- 
Wragg,  and  Bishop- Polk,  an  old  pupil  at  West  Point;  and  these  cleverly  profited 
by  the  shortsightedness  of  the  Northerners,  who,  on  the  5th  of  April,  were  sur- 
prised at  Stiiloh.  The  result  of  that  surprise  was  the  dispersal  of  Peabody's 
brigade  and  the  retreat  of  Sherman.  The  Confederates,  however,  paid  cruelly  for 
their  success,  the  heroic  Johnston  being  killed  as  he  repulsed  the  Federal  army. 
Such  was  the  first  day  of  the  battle  of  the  6th  of  April.  The  day  but  one  after 
there  was  another  fight  along  the  whole  line,  and  Shei'man  retook  Shiloh.  In 
their  turn  the  Confederates  had  to  retreat  before  the  soldiers  of  Grant.  The 
struggle  was  a  sanguinary  one;  out  of  eighty  thousand  men  engaged,  twenty 
thousand  were  wounded  or  killed.  This  was  the  last  news  of  the  war  that  Jamed 
Burbank  and  his  companions  heard  the  morning  after  their  return  to  Castle 
House,  on  the  7th  of  April.  After  the  execution  of  the  Texars  they  had  accom- 
panied Captain  Howick  and  his  prisoners  to  the  coast.  At  Cape  Malabar  one  of 
the  vessels  of  the  flotilla  had  been  stationed  to  cruise  off  the  coast,  and  in  herthey 
were  taken  to  St.  Augustine.  Thence  a  gunboat  took  them  from  Picolata  to 
Camdless  Bay.  And  so  all  got  back  to  Castle  House — even  Zurmah,  who  had  re- 
covered from  her  wounds.  Carried  to  the  Federal  vessel  by  Mars  and  his  com- 
panions, she  had  every  attention,  and  in  her  happiness  at  having  saved  little 
Dy,  and  restored  her  to  those  who  loved  her,  how  could  she  die  ?  Mrs.  Burbank, 
with  her  child  near  her,  gradually  recovered  her  health.  With  her  had  she  not 
her  husband,  her  son,  Alice  (soon  to  become  her  daughter),  Zurmah,  and  Mars  ? 
And  she  had  nothing  to  fear  henceforth  from  the  scoundrel,  or  rather  two 
scoundrels,  whose  chief  accomplices  were  in  Federal  hands.  But  a  rumor  was 
abroad  which,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  mentioned  by  the  brothers  at  their 
interview  at  Carneral  Island.  It  was  said  that  the  Northerners  were  to  abandon 
Jacksonville;  that  Dupont,  confining  himself  to  the  blockade  of  the  coast,  was 
to  withdraw  the  gunboats  that  assured  the  safety  of  the  St.  John's.  This  plan 
would  evidently  jeopardize  the  safety  of  the  planters  who  held  anti-slavery  no- 
tions, and  especially  James  Burbank.  The  rumor  was  well-founded.  On  the 
8th  of  April,  the  day  after  that  on  which  the  family  returned  to  Castle  House, 
the  Federals  began  the  evacuation  of  Jacksonville.  A  few  of  the  inhabitants,  who 
were  favorable  to  the  Unionist  cause,  thought  it  better  to  leave  the  town,  some 
for  Port  Boyal,  others  for  New  York.  James  Burbank  did  not  think  it  necessary 
to  follow  their  example.  The  negroes  had  returned  to  the  plantation,  notas 
slaves,  but  as  free  men,  and  their  presence  would  assure  the  safety  of  Camdless 
Bay.  The  war  had  entered  on  a  favorable  phase  for  the  North,  and  this  allowed 
of  Gilbert  remaining  on  leave  at  Castle  House  to  celebrate  bis  marriage  with 
Alice  Stannard.  The  work  on  the  plantation  was  recommenced.  There  was  no 
question  of  putting  in  force  against  Mr.  Burbank  the  order  expelling  the  freed 
slaves  from  Floridan  territory.  Texar  and  his  companions  were  no  longer  at 
hand  to  raise  the  populace,  and  the  gunboats  on  the  coast  would  promptly  re- 
establish order  at  Jacksonville.  The  war  dragged  on  for  three  more  years,  and 
even  Florida  was  destined  to  receive  a  few  more  of  its  counter-effects.  In  the 
month  of  September  of  this  same  year  Dupont's  flotilla  appeared  at  St.  John's 
Bluffs,  near  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  Jacksonville  was  occupied  for  the  second 
time.  Later  on  it  was  occupied  by  General  Seymour  for  a  third  time,  after  a 
t»ifling  resistance.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1863,  a  proclamation  by  President 
Lincoln  abolished  slavery  in  all  the  States  of  the  Union.  But  the  war  did  not 
•nd  till  the  9th  of  April,  1865.  On  that  day,  at  Appomattox  Court  House,  Gene- 
ral Lee  surrendered  with  his  whole  army  to  General  Grant,  under  a  capitulation 
which  did  honor  to  both  parties.  The  sanguinary  struggle  of  North  against 
South  had  lasted  four  years.  It  had  cost  two  thousand  seven  hundred  millions 
of  dollars,  and  killed  more  than  half  a  million  of  men;  but  slavery  was  abolished 
throughout  North  America.  And  by  it  was  assured  the  indivisibility  of  the  Re- 
public of  the  United  States,  thanks  to  the  efforts  of  those  Americans  whose  an- 
cestors a  century  before  had  freed  their  country  in  the  War  of  Independeno*. 
THE  ESD, 


The  flf  gyle  tes, 

PRINTERS,  BINDERS, 

General  Book  Manufacturers 

rOB  FUBUBWERB  AHD  ATJTHOBS. 

265-267  Cherry  St.,  &  520-522  Water  St., 

NEW  YORK. 

We  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  Authors, 
Publishers,  and  the  Book  Trade  in  general,  to 
our  unrivalled  facilities  for  the  manufacturing 
of  Books.  Our  establishment  is  equipped  with 
the  very  latest  and  most  improved  machinery  in 
the  market.  Our  capacity  for  the  production 
of  large  editions,  in  any  style,  at  short  notice,  is 
^  unequalled  by  any  establishment  in  New  York. 
To  Authors  who  desire  to  issue  their  own  pro- 
ductions, we  offer  unusual  facilities,  and  can 
afford  them  valuable  assistance. 

Estimates  will  be  promptly  furnished  on  appli- 
cation. Address, 

The  Argyle  Press, 

265  &  267  Cherry  St.,  New  York- 


The  Universal  Library. 

Be»t  Books  by  the  world's  acknowledged  best  writers.  Conrenient 
in  size,  and  legible  in  print. 


PRICE,  TWENTY-FIVE  CENTS  EACH. 

SEJfT  TO  AlfYAgPRESS  ON  RECEIPT  OF  PRICE. 


The  Death  Shot.   A  story  retold.  By 

Captain  Mayne  Eeid. 
The  Von  Toodlehurgs.    The  history 

of  a  very  distinguished  family.  By 

F.  Oolburn  Adams. 

^ff       Of  a  Nihilist.    A  novel 
By  Stepmak. 
Dora  Thome.    By  Bertha  M.  Clay. 

Wot  Like  Other  Girls.  By  Eosa  N. 
Carey. 

Cleopatra.  Being  an  account  of  the  fall 
and  vengeance  of  Harmachis  (the  Royal 
Egyptian)  as  set  forth  by  his  own  hand. 
By  H.  Kider  Haggard. 

Guilderoy.   A  novel.   By  Ouida. 

The  Scarlet  letter.  By  Nathaniel  Haw- 
thorne, 

Uarda.   A  romance  of  ancient  Egypt  Bv 

George  Ebers. 
Doctor  Rameau  ;   or,  The  Douhle 

Wrong-.   Cy  ©eorges  Ohnet. 
Atint  Diana.   By  Rosa  N,  Carey. 


The  Last  Days  of  Pompeii.   By  Bui 

wer  Lytton.  j 
A  Hardy  Norseman.  By  Edna  Lyall, 
Marooned.   By  W.  Clark  Russell. 
The  Duke's  Secret.  By  Bertha  M.  Clay. 

A  Terrible  Temptation.  A  story  of 

the  day.   By  Charles  Reade. 
^ady  Audley's  Secret.   By  M.  E.  Brad- 

'^^©j.^SketCh-Book.     By  Washington 

^^^i^  '  T^'  Joes  with  an  Old 
A  T.ÎVo?|-t»^  <^^^rleB  Kingsley, 

A  Life's  Bemorse.  BytheDuchesl 

*'''a?der^^*''°®-  Mrs.  Alex 

Barnaby  Rudg-e.   By  Charles  Dickens. 

The  Tour  of  the  World  in  Eig"htv 
Days.   By  Jules  Verne.  **8^ty 

®*^a1  '  ^^^The  Pate  of  a  Coquette 

By  Alexander  Dumas.  «d".etiie. 
Jtise  Tavernier.    By  Daudet.   A  fascin- 
Jmthlr  celebrated  French 

VtSI uthe?  ^* 
Kenilworth.   By  Sir  Walter  Scott. 


^*Carey  ^  -^^^^  ^' 

Children.    By  John  Strange 

Allan's  Wife.   By  H.  Rider  Haggard. 
Handy  Andy.   A  Tale  of  Irish  life.  By 

Samuel  Lover, 
"^^e^^^®®  stances.    A  romance  of  the 
Reld^*^  VaUey.    By  Captain  Mayne 

Justin  Harley.  A  romance  of  Old  Vir- 
ginia.   By  John  Esten  Cooke, 

Iva^oe.  A  romance.  By  Sir  Walter 
ocott. 

The  Life  and  Adventuj^es  of  an  Ar- 
kansas Doctor.  By  Dr.  M.  Lafayette 

^Expectations,  and  American 
Notes.   By  Charles  Dickens. 

ITorthAgrainst 
south.   By  Jules  Verne. 


^^^*^^^e  Case  of  Dr.  Jekyll  and 

Mr.  Hyde.   By  R.  L.  Stevenion. 
The  Last  of  the  Mohicans.    A  narra- 
tive of  1757.    By  James  Fennimore 

Cooper. 

Our  Bessie.   By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 

Ship.   By  W.  Clark  Russell. 
'^B? a f  ^olfd.^^'*'  Scotland  Yard. 
The  Master  of  Ballantrae.  A  winter's 
mi,    l^i^       I^obert  L.  Stevenson. 
The  Old  Curiosity  Shop,  and  Edwin 

Drood.    By  Charles  Dickens. 
Knickerbocker's   History   of  Wew 

*ork.   By  Washington  Irving. 
Chris.   By  W.  E.  Norris. 

Roh  Roy.    A  romance.    By  Sir  Walter 

idcott. 

The  Pog;  Princess.  A  romance  of  the 
_  Dark  Metropolis.  By  Florence  Warden. 
Merles'  Crusade.   By  Rosa  N.  Carey. 

Hard  Times,  and  The  Uncommercial 

Traveler.   By  Charles  Dickens. 
A  Crooked  Path.    By  Mrs.  Alexander. 
Blind  Love.  By  Wilkie  Collins. 
Miss  Shafto.    By  W.  E.  Norris. 
^^%tu  Novelist.    By  Edzw 


BJJPU  HANDBOOKa 

An  sa^erîîÔrsTer'^^^^^^  of  the  subject*  dl«,„«J 

and  pointed  l^n^na^J^Sj^eTal'Îre'h^^^  *°  ^^^^  ele« 

po«.iwe  Wit  w  nu^rrm^  t^^ti^^ixi::^:^^:  ""''^  ^'^^"^  ^'•-'•^  - 


"*'"'=*'25x.?L»'«'AT,OM 
MPiaSSJJhC  H      .«5  AN  UAL. 

Containing  new  directiniiH  f^;  i°™*™ental. 

HANDBOOK  OF  THP  -rrku  ip.. 

the  beauty  of  the  person.  °       greatly  to 

aathorlties,  ,nd  Concise  R  if  ^est 
«Terv  8tag^  of  the  Game. 

and^Sa^^f^fl  re'Tns'^ur^"'  V".''  <^'-r 
necessary  to  make  a  good  Sfi""? 

errors  that  inexperienced  nlr  *^»  î'îf^  P''«^*'«nt 
examples  are  ma'de  extremely  nl«f/^*^  i"*,"'  ^he 

WOWTO  PRONO^U^H3E  DIFFICULT 

teen  fnXbt'r'IsSnl  î^f  ^"^^  ^''^  «"^es 
of  a  wwd  they  desire  tf  u«e  *^?,P'-°n«°ciation 
can  now  be  avoided    -R^  «,1  .i^^ï*,  uncertainty 


misapplication  J  nfV^Î^»  Phrases  per^^ersions  anci 
States  of  the  CTiSo^     '  ""^"^ 
THE  FORTUNE-TEULER  AND 
^  DREAM-BOOK. 

P„0?,  THE  FUTUEE  UNFOLDED 

A     T9  M^^  A  HUNDRED  YEARS 

Wel^it^plfK^d  ^^^^^^ 
for  Improving  tC  il.^™  -pecific  instructions 

™=„S*BIN.BOY:  A  Tale  of  tht 

™^/^^^-®'"'''AY  BOYSî  or. wild 
L!fe  on  the  Mountains.  b.m.'K 
clfp?   Ç^i^'  THE  MOUNTAIN 

CHIEF.  BvJohnBanim. 
tas^eteV^'e^nluî^^^^^^^  for  entrancing  interest, 

charming  language.  Va&'sVœ'^or* 
CLERK  BARTON'S  CRIMt;  or,  the 
Adventures  of  a  Night,  a  Tale  ® 

NewYork  Life.High  &  Low.  ^y p,^ 

thiïï^n°|SeiZw"^d'"r/ 
is  thi  te"xtro«a?l"st^>Sl^™  «^4 
HOW  TO  SEE  NEW  YORir  r^ii-v 

COIDE  MAP  OF  NEW  YORK  C|TV. 

'"'"^ttr  folded  tor  n.  p5£t. 


ÏDSIC  liDE  Em. 

INSTRUmCNTAL  MUSIC 

SELP-IUSTRUCTORa 


Music  Without  a  Tectcher. 

Each  of  the  foUowlng  Books  far  toMkiag 

Inetrumcntal  Muiic  ia  perfect  In  erery  w»y,  mm 
from  them  anyone  with  a  taste  for  '  Concord 
Sweet  Sounds"  earn  become  an  accomplieli«4 
Musician  in  a  short  time,  on  any  of  the  lastn»' 
ments  eniunerated. 


Piano  Without  a  Teacher. 


Tttll  Instruction  la  glren  not  only  as  to  the  keys,  butererythlng  I«  «xplaineA  M  # 
Ihe  fingering,  position,  use  of  pedals,  etc.  Price  2  &  cents« 

CABINET  ORGAN  WITHOUT  A  TEACHER. 

The  playing  of  this  HoTisehold  Instroment  is  made  quite  easy,    A  little  daOf 
■Ucatiaa  with  this  book  wlU  enable  anyone  to  play  with  correctness  aaa  ewi* 
fuo«2&  cents. 

Violin  Without  a  Teaolier. 

Bf«ry  rule  that  could  be  letmed  from  an  01  a  Bull,  or  Paganlnl  can  Regained 
«kes^-iges.  The  management  of  the  fingers  to  produce  every  note,  rtide  and  - 
to  aU*rly  explained.  Price  2  S  cents. 

German  Accordéon  Without  a  Teacher. 

All  the  sweet  melodies  of  this  Instrument  can  be  easily  rendered  by  aa 
•m  of  the  plain  rules  so  well  laid  down  in  this  book.  Price  2K  cents. 

Banjo  Without  a  Teaolier. 

«qjOained.  Price  2&  cents. 

Cornet  Without  a  Teacher. 

By  close  attention  to  these  rules  one  can  become  as  great  a  proficient  M  ^Jf 
k«<^le  er  a  Levy.  All  about  the  keys  and  the  valves,  tongueing  and  doubla  MagM> 
iB#.  etc,  are  clearly  explained.  Price  2&  cents. 

plain,  practical  and  perfect  are  the  lesBons  fflTCii,  fftat  tfet 
acqulrinv  of  the  art  of  playing  any  of  tbo  a»OTO 
Instruments  la  quite  simple  and  easy. 

Heart  Songs  and  Home  Tune» 

«MtaliisOOMlPLBTi:  MUSIC  OF  WEAKLY  l»0_FIBCB«,  >y 
MMM  as  Abt,  ClOTcr,  Sloan,  eatty  and  Balfe.  toelmdlng  a  j— f*^ 
mm^t,  Bomads,  I>uetta  and  Ohortwes,  arranged  fet  th«  Fiaao  saA  «P* 
1ft  cents.   •  '   '  • 


OopUa  af  «ka  ahoro  hooks.  Mmt  hy  audi 
mA^wiwr  «•  gaceApt  af  prtaa, 

êMrtm  mnW£  êt  CO*  IM  Jfmmmm  M.  KaT^ 


••Bandnip  Made  BasyJ 


BALL-ROOM  DANCINGS 
WITHOUT  A  MASTER, 

AND 

Ctmiplete  Qiiide  to  the  Ball-RoooL 


A  kook  giring  a  nmpl*  desoription  oi  tke  dano«fl  in  {Mpakr 
lUM,  from  the  usual  technicalities,  htm  been  long  denred. 
To  meet  this  want  the  publiahen  haye  engaged  a  celebrated  pro- 
fessor and  teacher  of  Dancing  to  write  a  book  that  ahall  aupply 
tUiii  defioienc  J.  In  thia  the  professor  haa  been  eminentl j  soc- 
cesefuL  We  may  oonfldentlj  aaaert  that  anj  one  can,  bj  the  aid 
of  thifl  book,  become  proûoient  in  the  art  of  Ball-Boom  Daaeiag. 
The  different  dancea  are  illuate-ated  by  diagrams  and  figureoi 
Slaking  erery  aie)»  and  variation  qoite  elear  aad  aUnple. 


How  te  Organise  a  BalL 
Ball-Boom  Toilet  for  Ladies 

and  Gentlemen, 
fitiqnette  of  the  Ball-lUoim. 
Qnadrillec 
GheatFiguM. 
Jig  Figure. 
Basket  Figwe. 
Double  Qnadntttb 
Pelkm. 


Take  a  Deux  Tunifi 
Galop. 

Maaonrka  Take. 
Walts  OotiUion. 


Bedewda. 
PcOka  MscarlM. 
WaUs. 


Tempêta. 
Oaledoniau. 
Ooaple  Daaeea. 
Hev  Take  OotiUMU 
TirginiaBeeL 
Tka  TaraoTiaBA. 
The  Oorlitia. 
The  New  Take. 
Pep  Goea  ike 
fopnlar  daneea. 


BMwitif^Uy  iHnafcrated,  and  weU  printed.  PliM  23 
■ant  to  'ay  address  on  receipt  «f  priée. 


THE  ART  OF 

HUNTING,  TRAPPING  AND  FISHING 

BY  AN  OLD  AND  SUCCESSFUL  HUNTER. 

A  Complete  and  Practical  Guide  for  the  use  of  the  Amatctir' 
or  Professional  Hunter  or  Trapper. 


This  book  will  be  found  very  valuable  to  those  who  have  not  had  experience 
in  these  healthy,  manly  and  profitable  pursuits.  The  book  is  thorough  im 
detail  in  every  respect.  The  young  sportsman  can  learn  how  to  use  the  Gna 
or  Rifle  with  ease  and  precision,  and  become  an  unerring  shot.  The  mystery 
®f  making,  setting  and  baiting  Traps  successfully,  is  shown. 

The  Best  Methods  of  Catching  all  kinds  of  Fish, 

Either  in  the  Sea,  Lake  or  River,  is  told  practically  and  understandingly.  The 
whole 

Art  of  Managing  anoL  Training  Dogs  for  Sporting  Purposes, 

and  all  about  the  care  of  Skins  and  Furs,  so  that  they  will  fetch  the  highest 
market  price,  is  given,  with  a  vast  amount  of  other  valuable  iuformatioH 
relating  to  the  Hunters  Craft. 


About  Guns.  I  Trapping. 

How  TO  Select  A  Gun.  {  How  to  Make  Tkaps. 

Breech- Loaders.  I  Setting  and  Baiting  Trap», 
How  to  Load  a  Gun 


The  Art  of  Gunning. 
The  Rifle,  and  How  to  Use  it. 
About  Dogs. 
Management  op  Dogs. 
Training  of  Dogs. 
Best  Dogs  for  Shooters. 
Hunting,  Gunnin»  and  Shooting. 
Rabbit  Shooting. 
Snipe  Shooting. 
Partridge  Shooting, 
Woodcock  Shooting. 
Wild  Fowl  Shooting. 
Deer  Hunting. 
Buffalo  Hunting. 


Proper  Season  for  Trappin», 
Hints  to  Trappers. 
Spbcipic  Directions  for  Trap- 
ping AND  SnAREING  all  KINDS 

OP  Birds  and  Animals. 
Fishing. 

Baits.  Hooks,  Lines,  Rods,  &c. 
How  TO  Catch  Various  Kinds  op 
Fish. 

The  Art  op  Stretchino  an» 

Curing  Skins. 
Dressing  and  Tanning  Skins  and 

Furs. 

Colorin®  and  Dyeing  Skins  and 
Furs. 


The  Book  is  indispensable  to  all  who  delight  to  Fish,  Hunt  or  Trap,  either 
for  sport  or  profit.  The  instructious  will  enable  anyone  to  become  thoroughly 
expert  m  the  Sports  and  Pastimes  of  the  River,  Field  or  Forest.  Illustrations 
^•e  given,  where  nëeded,  to  elucidate  matters,  as  in  the  construction  of  traps. 

This  book  will  place  many  in  a  position  to  turn  their  spare  time  to  a  very 
profitable  account.  Furs  and  Skins  are  alM'ays  in  demand,  aud  if  p«)p«rlT 
eanjjghtandmaaaged,  sell  for  large  prices.— Prie©  85  C«nl».        r  * 


PHONIC  SHORTHAND 

wema  a  concise  yet  full 

and  Most  Improved  Method  of 
Stenographic  Writing; 


AND 

ILLUSTRATED  BY  NUMEROUS  PLATEi 


tmmm 


13M 


-4 
A 


■  % .  ! 


